instore - July/August 2013 - 10

news

ON OUR RADAR
Jeffs’ Select Gouda from Caves of Faribault has won the 2013 sofi

Bizerba came ready for the task to increase the market penetration

Award for Outstanding Cheese or Dairy Product from the Specialty

throughout North America and will not only strategically expand the

Food Association. A sofi is the top honor in the $86 billion specialty

sales network, but also further professionalize the service offering.

food industry. “sofi” stands for Specialty Outstanding

Both companies growing from German roots have worked together

Food Innovation.

very successfully for years in different markets; it only made sense
to get Bizerba as a partner for the US-American and Canada zone.

Jeffs’ Select was one of 125 finalists selected by a national panel of

WIESHEU now can further expand their international direction origi-

specialty food professionals from a record-setting 2,573 entries across

nating from their headquarters in Affalterbach.

32 Awards categories including Outstanding Chocolate, Confection,
and Snack Food. Winners were announced July 1, 2013, by internation-

The development is a significant increase in service for the North

ally-acclaimed Chef Marcus Samuelsson at a red-carpet ceremony at

American market. This will surely be an important deciding factor

the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York.

for retailers and companies when investing in instore baking ovens.
Particularly large, internationally active baking trades and food retail

“On behalf of the affinage team and management at Caves of Faribault

chains that want business partners at eye level, who deliver high

we are delighted to accept this award,” notes Jeff Jirik, VP/GM of

quality, are present throughout the world and are familiar with the

Natural Cheese for Swiss Valley Farms, the parent company of Caves

needs and legal basic conditions of the local market.

of Faribault. “It’s truly an honor for a great American cheese.”
Jeffs’ Select is the result of a collaborative effort between Jirik and

Steve Dragoo, president of Solutions Consulting, Inc., received the

long-time friend Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker Jeff Wideman.

2013 International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association’s (IDDBA) President’s

It is Wideman who

Award at the Awards Banquet, the closing event of Dairy-Deli-Bake

makes the cheese,

2013. Voni Woods, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the IDDBA

which is then sent

and Senior Director of Deli, Giant Eagle, Inc., selected Dragoo for the

to Faribault for

honor which recognizes distinguished service or contribution to the

aging. Unlike typical

industry and honors those who have led with vision and dedication.

Goudas aged in cold
temperatures, this

Dragoo is founder and president of Solutions Consulting, Inc. During

American original

his 30-plus year career, Steve has worked for major retailers and for

is aged in the warm

two of America’s largest food companies. With Solutions Consulting,

and humid environ-

he has acted as a trusted advisor and trainer for some of America’s

ment of the caves.

most respected retail supermarket chains and food manufacturers,

The result is a full-

helping them tell their stories, formulate winning strategies, and

bodied flavor with

continue to win during challenging economic times.

a classic European
nuttiness and a

Since early 2001, Steve’s focus has been to develop and refine a

hint of caramel. Its

“Customer Experience-Specific” training model. Using a myriad of

annatto-rubbed rind

resources and field testing, he has developed a flexible framework

gives it its vibrant

for customized Customer Experience Training that can be adapted

orange color.

and applied to virtually any industry—across a wide spectrum of
business situations.

WIESHEU answers the increasing demand for the baking industry in
the North American market with a commitment to a new sales and

Market Street showcased amazing flavors made or grown in Texas

service partner starting in July 2013. For 10 years, the instore baking

during its annual Best of Texas expo taking place each weekend in

ovens designed and manufactured by this Southern Germany-based

July. The event featured top products from the Lone Star State at all 11

market leader have already been sold into Canada and the US.

Market Street locations in north and west Texas.

10 • JUL + AUG 2013 • instore
instore - July/August 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of instore - July/August 2013
