INDIAN CUISINE MAKES A GOLD DEBUT AT THE PRESTIGIOUS 36TH ANNUAL SOFI AWARD COMPETION HELD AT THE 2008 FANCY FOOD SHOW IN NEW YORK CITY.

    /24-7PressRelease/ - NEW YORK, NY, July 31, 2008 - In a star studded evening highlighted by Celebrity chef and cookbook Author Jack Pepin who was present to honor 32 gold winners from a selected list of 150 finalists, two products from the fastest growing Asian cuisine in America, made a gold debut. Sukhi's Tikka Masala Sauce was recognized as the Sofi Gold award winner in the Outstanding Cooking Sauce/flavor enhancer category and Kerala Tomato Chutney in the Outstanding Condiment Category.

"To be recognized by such a prestigious industry award is quite an honor," stated Sukhi Singh, the mastermind behind Sukhi's Gourmet Indian Foods. "I started my journey with a dream to get Indian food on the American dinner table, it is quite a thrill to see that happening."

Sukhi's Tikka Masala Sauce is for every home chef that wants to put an authentic Indian meal on the table without laboring over a multitude of spices. The spices are all present and in balance where the palate is elevated to a new experience in flavor. Simply add your meats or vegetables and a gourmet Indian meal awaits.

"Our Tomato Chutney, is one of my favorite personal recipes" states Ann Varkey, CEO and founder of Kerala Curry, "winning the prestigious sofi Gold award was the best thing ever happened to our company; especially when an Indian product wins Gold in this category for the first time in the history of this award competition."

This year's contest was the most competitive yet, with a record 2,191 entries. The field was narrowed to 150 Silver Finalists over four days of judging this spring by an independent panel of specialty food experts from Whole Foods Market, Raleys, Culinary Institute of America and Crate & Barrel. Gold winners were selected by more than 400 retailers and foodservice buyers attending the Summer Fancy Food Show, June 29 - July 1, 2008.

"The winners of this year's Sofi awards are evidence that our members continue to create distinctive products that delight consumers," said Ann Daw, president of the NASFT "that is part of why our industry remains resilient in this challenging economy," she added.

About Sukhi's Gourmet Indian Foods

Created by celebrated Chef-Teacher Sukhi Singh, Sukhi's Authentic Indian Foods was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1992, following an increasing demand for Indian cuisine using premium, natural ingredients.
One of only a handful of USDA-certified and third party audited Indian food vendors, Sukhi's brings the nourishment, stories and enchantment of India to home chefs and foodies with a taste for the exotic.
Sukhi's culinary creations are sold in leading natural and gourmet food stores nationwide including Whole Foods, and are available fresh in farmers markets and other grocery stores across the San Francisco Bay Area. Products are sold both as consumer-packaged goods and in commercial portions for food service.
As a small, family-operated company, Sukhi's is closely tied to its community through many non-profit organizations, including C.H.E.F.S. (Conquering Homelessness through Employment in Foodservice). Sukhi herself has also been involved with Narika, an organization dedicated to ending domestic violence, which recently recognized Sukhi's with the Community Business Impact of the Year award

For further information please contact Sanjog Sikand at [email protected]; 510 336 8382

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