From a press release:
Hickory chef scores national recognition for Good Food Awards
Highland Avenue Restaurant’s Chef Kyle McKnight and EcoFriendly Foods Co-founder, Bev Eggleston have scored their second nomination for a Good Food Award. The awards, which recognize the best of America’s growing movement of socially conscious food entrepreneurs, will be handed out in San Francisco on January 8. The duo previously won a Good Food Award in 2013 for their Iberico Americana Long Leg Ham (aged 20 Months).
McKnight and Eggleston are finalists once again in the Charcuterie category for their Iberico Americana Long Leg Ham (aged 20 Months). The Good Food Awards recognize the tasty, authentic and responsibly produced food being crafted across the Country. McKnight and Eggleston’s product was among 1,462 entries and chosen as one of 207 Good Food Award finalists. That number will be narrowed to 150 Good Food Award winners to be officially announced January 8, 2015 at a gala in the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.
Voting for the Good Food Awards took place on September 7, 2014 when 180 chefs, retailers, food writers, farmers and food crafters gathered for a marathon tasting and judging session. Judges sampled entries from 11 categories including beer, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, coffee, confections, honey, oils, preserves, pickles, and spirits. The top scorers were further vetted to confirm environmentally sound agriculture, good animal husbandry, transparency, and fair treatment at all stages of the supply chain.
“It was not easy to make it onto this list,” says Sarah Weiner, co-founder and Executive Director of Seedling Projects, the 501 (c) 3 behind the Good Food Awards. “The quality of entries increases every year, and even amongst the highest scoring, nearly two dozen entries didn’t quite meet the high bar we set for sustainability. The 2015 Finalists are truly the leaders in their fields, epitomizing taste, authenticity and responsible production.”
McKnight appreciates the accolade, but says the pig deserves all the credit. “It is always nice to be recognized but it is better to see progress concerning local foods take shape. People are more conscientious of where their food comes from and the Good Food Awards are a big part of that process.”
For more information on the Good Food Awards, visit www.goodfoodawards.org.
Highland Avenue changed the culinary landscape of Hickory, North Carolina when the farm-to-table restaurant opened in 2013. Executive Chef Kyle McKnight has garnered national praise for his passion for locally sourced foods, and Highland Avenue, is quickly becoming a destination for people who love good food. Located on the second floor of the beautifully renovated former Holler Hosiery Mill in the up and coming Southeast District of Hickory, Highland Avenue pays homage to the city’s rich manufacturing history while focusing on New American cuisine. For more information, please call 828-267-9800 or visit www.highlandavenuerestaurant.com.
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