New York, June 2009 – Chef Ming Tsai presents Lucini with a SOFI™ GOLD award in the "Best Dressing/Marinade" category.

Given out by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) the annual SOFI™ award honors outstanding specialty foods and beverages in 33 categories. Competition was strong this year, with 1,997 entries across all 33 categories. A national panel of specialty food experts narrowed the field to 128 Silver Finalists during five days of judging at NASFT’s offices in New York City. More than 550 buyers at the Summer Fancy Food Show cast ballots to select the gold winners. The results were tabulated by an outside accounting firm and resulted in our Cucumber & Shallot Artisan Vinaigrette taking home the Gold.

“A SOFI™ Award ensures that a company’s product will be noticed by discerning buyers of specialty food and beverages across the country and around the world,” said Ann Daw, president of the NASFT. “This year’s winners show that innovation and excellence continue to thrive in our industry.”