Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 16, 2012
Rafter 7S is a winner at the Fiery Food Challenge!
Paxton, NE - On January 27, 2012, the most prestigious awards in the spicy food industry were distributed at the Fiery Food Challenge Awards dinner in Irving, Texas, and Rafter 7S came out on top! Their Holiday Habanero Glaze was 2nd place in the Dessert Sauce Category, and their Strawberry Jalapeno Glaze was 3rd in the same category.
The Fiery Food Challenge, a competition sponsored by The Dallas Morning News, pits products against one another in more than 100 categories. Professional judges evaluate hundreds of sauces, salsas, and other spicy treats and award first, second, and third place prizes in each category. Awards are proudly displayed at ZestFest, a spicy, zesty, and flavorful food event held the same week as the Fiery Food Challenge at the brand new Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, Texas.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 2, 2011
Rafter 7S Wins 2 Awards at World's Most Competitive Fiery Foods Contest
Paxton, NE - The 2012 Scovie Awards judging panel of top culinary experts honored Rafter 7S a 3rd place award in the Condiments-Not Hot and Spicy, Sweet Sauce category for their Blackberry Habanero Glaze and 3rd place for their Blazin’ Hot Habanero Glaze in the Sweet Heat, Sweet Sauces category. Judging is based on appearance, aroma, texture, spice blend, originality, and flavor.
Rafter 7S is located north of Sutherland on the family ranch and products can be purchased online at www.rafter7s.com. They offer a variety of pepper jellies and glazes, as well as wild fruit jellies and syrups. Rafter 7S products are made the old-fashioned way, in small, hand-stirred batches. Seifer is committed to a quality product and uses locally grown peppers to create an authentic taste experience. They also hand-pick wild fruits for their products.
Competition was particularly fierce for the 2012 awards, with product entries up 177 over 2011. In all, 161 companies entered 792 products for a chance at Scovie glory. Dave DeWitt, founder of the Scovie Awards and National Fiery Foods and Barbecue Show said entries came from 38 states and four countries including Australia, Sweden, Canada and the United States.
DeWitt, the “Pope of Peppers,” was pleased with the variety and quality of the entries. “It’s thrilling to see more entries than ever in our sixteenth year of the Scovie Awards. I’m always impressed by the creative new ideas and delicious ways people showcase fiery foods,” DeWitt said.
Guests can sample and buy Scovie Award-winning products at the upcoming 2012 National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show (March 2-4, 2012) at Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Vendors from across the country will be in attendance. For more information please visit:
www.fieryfoodsshow.com.
About
The Scovie Awards is an annual competition created by Dave DeWitt that recognizes the top fiery foods products in the world. The awards were named after the Scoville scale, a measurement of the spicy heat of a chile pepper. It is one of the most competitive blind tasted food competitions. Hundred of products are entered and go through rigorous tastings to receive the top honors. The Scovie Awards take place annually in the month of October. For more information, visit
www.scovieawards.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 11, 2011
Rafter 7S Blackberry Habanero Glaze Wins 2011 Fiery Food Challenge!
Rafter 7S has been awarded the Golden Chile for Condiments-Desserts in the 2011 Fiery Food Challenge for Blackberry Habanero Glaze! They also took 2nd place in the same category for their Strawberry Jalapeno Glaze.
On January 28, 2011, the most prestigious awards in the spicy food industry were distributed at the Fiery Food Challenge Awards dinner in Irving, Texas, and Rafter 7S came out on top! Their Blackberry Habanero Glaze took home First place and the Golden Chile in the Condiments-Desserts category. Their Strawberry Jalapeno Glaze was second in the same category.
The Fiery Food Challenge, a competition sponsored by The Dallas Morning News, pits products against one another in more than 100 categories. Professional judges evaluate hundreds of sauces, salsas, and other spicy treats and award first, second, and third place prizes in each category. Awards are proudly displayed at ZestFest, a spicy, zesty, and flavorful food event held the same week as the Fiery Food Challenge at the brand new Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, Texas.
Rafter 7S has now won several awards, including a previous Golden Chile Award, Fiery Food Challenge Award, and Scovie Award. Rafter 7S is located in the Sandhills in western Nebraska. They began selling products at a local farmer’s market. Customers loved them and often said they should be in stores. So a kitchen was rented and Rafter 7S was started. It has expanded, and in the fall of 2010 they put in their own commercial kitchen. The peppers used for their products are all grown locally. In addition to pepper jellies and glazes, they make wild fruit jellies and syrups. These are made from native Nebraska wild fruits. They are made in small, hand-stirred batches. Most are all natural and contain no preservatives or corn syrup.
Sherri Seifer, owner said “It is an honor to be winning awards. It shows that with hard work and creativity you can have your products stand out from others. It is nice to see that a small company from the Sandhills of Nebraska can compete with larger companies from across the country.”
Go to our website: www.rafter7s.com for more information on our award-winning products. You may also contact us at:
rafter7s@lakemac.net or
308-726-2319 for more information.
For more information on the Fiery Food Challenge and ZestFest, visit
www.zestfest2011.com or contact Pamela Betz at
pambetz@aol.com or
407-876-4467.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 20, 2010
World’s Most Competitive Fiery Foods Contest Announces 2011 Scovie Award Winners
Rafter 7S honored in hot and spicy showdown
Contact:
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group
(505) 898-8689
Julianne Horn, The Garrity Group
(505) 898-8689
Paxton, NE - The 2011 Scovie Awards honored Rafter 7S of Paxton, Nebraska with a win in the Condiments-Not Hot and Spicy, Sweet Sauce and also a second place in the same category. Rafter 7S won for their Strawberry Jalapeno Glaze and received second for their Holiday Habanero Glaze . Sherri Seifer, owner, was excited to get a call from the competition organizers telling her about the win. The award is named for Wilbur Scoville who pioneered a rating system for all things spicy.
More than 600 products from around the world competed this year for top Scovie honors.
The Scovie Awards is an annual competition created by Dave DeWitt that recognizes the top fiery foods products in the world. It is one of the most competitive blind tasted food competitions. Hundreds products are entered and go through rigorous tastings to receive the top honors. They are judged on appearance, aroma, texture, spice blend, originality and flavor.
Dave DeWitt, the “Pope of Peppers,” is still impressed after all these years. DeWitt states, “This year I was blown away by all of the great submissions. Some are out of this world and the new ideas and flavors never cease to amaze me. The competition gets better and better each year.”
Rafter 7S is located in Paxton, NE and products can be purchased online at www.rafter7s.com. They offer pepper jellies and glazes as well as wild fruit jellies and syrups. Check out their web site for products available and other awards won.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 21, 2010
Rafter 7S Blazin’ Hot Habanero Jelly Wins 2010 Fiery Food Challenge!
Rafter 7S has been awarded the Golden Chile for Condiments-Jelly in the 2010 Fiery Food Challenge for its Blazin’ Hot Habanero Jelly!
It also took third place in Condiments-Desserts Sauce at the 2010 Fiery Food Challenge for its Blackberry Habanero Glaze!
On September 11, 2009, the most prestigious awards in the spicy food industry were distributed at a gala in Fort Worth, Texas, and Rafter 7S came out on top! Blazin’ Hot Habanero Jelly and Blackberry Habanero Glaze took home first and third, respectively.
The Fiery Food Challenge, a competition sponsored by
Chile Pepper magazine, pits products against one another in more than 80 categories. Professional judges evaluate hundreds of sauces, salsas and other spicy treats and award first, second and third prizes in each category. Awards are proudly displayed at ZestFest, a spicy food event held the same week as the Fiery Food Challenge, at the Will Rogers Center in Fort Worth.
Rafter 7S has now won several awards, including previously placing in the 2008 and 2009 Fiery Foods Challenges. They also have been a Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Medal Award finalist. Rafter 7S has been in business for five years. They are located on a working ranch in the Sandhills of western Nebraska. They make several varieties of gourmet jellies and glazes, including such unusual varieties as Strawberry Jalapeno Jelly and Holiday Habanero Glaze. In addition to the pepper jellies and glazes, they make wild fruit jellies and syrup, like Wild Chokecherry Jelly and Sandhill Cowboy’s Syrup.
Sherri Seifer, owner, said, “It is quite an honor to win this award. I have entered products in the Fiery Food Challenge the past three years and have had something place every year. But this was the first year to come home with a Golden Chile! I was lucky enough to have been able to attend this year and accept the award in person. It was quite an experience seeing the other vendors and all the different products they had to offer (at the Zestfest). It is interesting to see that a small Nebraska company can compete against big companies from across the United States.”
Go to our website: www.rafter7s.com for more information on our award-winning products. You may also contact us at:
rafter7s@lakemac.net or
308-726-2319 for more information.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 18, 2009
Rafter 7S, LLC Wins 2009 Fiery Food Challenge!
Rafter 7S, of LLC, of Paxton, Nebraska, takes third place for Condiments-Desserts Sauce in the 2009 Fiery Food Challenge for their Blackberry Habanero Glaze!
On September 5, 2008, the most prestigious awards in the spicy food industry were distributed at a gala banquet in Fort Worth, Texas, and Rafter 7S came out on top. Their Blackberry Habanero Glaze took home third place honors.
The Fiery Food Challenge, a competition sponsored by Chile Pepper magazine, pits products against one another in more than 80 categories. Professional judges evaluate hundreds of sauces, salsas and other spicy treats and award first, second and third prizes in each category. Awards are proudly displayed at ZestFest, a spicy food event held the same week as the Fiery Food Challenge, at the Will Rogers Center in Fort Worth.
Rafter 7S has now won several awards, including previous Fiery Food Challenge awards and has also been a Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Medal Award finalist. Rafter 7S has been in business for four years. They are located on a working ranch in the Sandhills of western Nebraska. They make several varieties of pepper jellies and glazes as well as wild fruit jellies and syrups.
Sherri Seifer, owner says, “It is quite an honor to win this award. It is nice to see that a small company from Nebraska can compete against the big boys from Texas!”
Go to our website: www.rafter7s.com for more information on our award-winning products. You may also contact us at: rafter7s@lakemac.net or 308-726-2319 for more information.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 26, 2008
Nebraska - Area Finalist Announced in Third Annual Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Medel Awards Program
Sonoma, CA - Two local food artisans are just one step closer to taking home the top prize as the Gallo family today announced the finalists in the third annual Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Medal Awards. This nationwide search for the countrys top artisanal food producers was created by the Gallo family in 2005 to give back to the artisanal community by recognizing individual businesses who share their commitment to high standards of quality, traditional methods of artisanal food producing and sustainable agriculture.
After careful evaluation by an expert panel, the following producers within the state of Nebraska have met the judges qualifications and are recognized as top-quality food producers whose products adhere to artisanal means:
** Pastabilities Unlimited, Firth, Nebraska, Condiment;
** Rafter 7S, Paxton, Nebraska, Condiment;
From year to year, we have seen an increased excitement for the Gold Medal Awards program and were equally pleased to see the artisans of Nebraska participate for year three, said Gina Gallo, third-generation winemaker, Gallo Family Vineyards. This year marks the E. & J. Gallo Winerys 75th Anniversary, so we are even prouder to bestow this honor to deserving American artisans who started out just like my grandfather Julio and great-uncle Ernest did many years ago.
The finalists have been asked to submit their products to be judged by an esteemed panel of culinary experts who will determine the Grand Prize winners across seven categories. Additionally, a special All Artisanal Award will be presented to a family-owned business that exemplifies artisanal food production and stands as an inspiration for other food industry professionals.
The Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Medal Awards means so much to our family and were extremely pleased to recognize another generation of exemplary artisans, said Stephanie Gallo, Senior Director of Marketing, Gallo Family Vineyards. As the countrys first family of wine, we truly understand the hard work and dedication that producing a quality artisanal product requires and we are privileged to honor those who continue to uphold the tradition.
All Grand Prize winners will each receive a $5,000.00 business development grant. In addition, winners will be flown to New York City in April for a celebratory luncheon with members of the Gallo family, an annual membership to the Chefs Collaborative and the Gallo Family Vineyards seal of excellence to display on their winning products. The winner of the All Artisanal Award, will receive a trip to Aspen for the Food and Wine Classic in June 2008 to showcase their winning product as well as an advertisement in a top national culinary publication touting the product and their prestigious title.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 2007
Nebraska Food company Places in National Competition
Rafter 7S of Paxton makes a variety of hot pepper jellies and glazes and entered Chile Pepper Magazines 2008 Fiery Food Challenge. The company's Holiday Habanero Glaze won second place in the dessert category and the firms Blazin' Hot Habanero won 3rd place in the jelly category.
"I started selling jelly simply to make a little extra money," said Sherri Seifer, owner of Rafter 7S. "We entered the competition to see how our products would stack up against other brands across the nation. It's very exciting to find out we are this competitive on a national scale."
The Fiery Food Challenge is the most recognized, prestigious competition of zesty products in the industry. Culinary experts judge every product through a series of blind tastings. Entrants vie for the coveted first place Golden Chile award in more than 80 categories from salsa to apparel.
Seifer has been making jelly for years. She started giving it as gifts to family and friends then expanded to selling at farmer's markets and craft shows. The firm's specialty is pepper jelly. The most popular way to serve it is over cream cheese with crackers, or as a glaze on meats. You can view the full product line, place and order and find recipe suggestions at www.rafter7s.com.
Rafter 7S products are made the old fashioned way, in small hand-stirred batches. Seifer is committed to a quality product and uses wild fruits and locally grown peppers to creat and authentic taste experience.
Rafter 7S, LLC, is located on a working cattle ranc 30 miles north of Paxton in the heart of the Nebraska Sandhills. The entire Seifer family gets involved in the business, especially when it's time to pick wild fruit such as chokecherries, plums an sandcherries. The company has customers in countries across the world including Germany, England and Sweden.
