Carolinas food makers jamming on Good Food list

Seedling Projects, a California-based organization that supports sustainable-food projects, has released the list of finalists for its 2014 Good Food Awards, which recognizes entrepreneurial food companies all over the country.

It's long list (here's the whole thing), and it has quite a collection of great Carolinas food makers. There are a few glaring misses, including no N.C. cheesemakers, no Counter Culture coffee and no sign of Escazu chocolates. But given the heavy concentration of West Coasters, especially Oregon and California, the Carolinas are well-represented. A number of these were new to me.

Consider it a wish list as you roam around, or you could use it as a shopping list for unusual Christmas gifts. The final winners will be announced in January.

Beer: 
Hogwash Hickory-Smoked Porter, Fullsteam Brewery, Durham.

Charcuterie:
Culatello, Cypress, Charleston.
Smoked Hog Head Cheese, Guglhupf Bakery, Durham.

Chocolate:
90% Dark Chocolate Ecuador Camino Verde, Videri Chocolate Factory, Raleigh.

Confections:
Dark Chocolate Espresso, Christophe Artisan Chocolatier, Charleston.
Indian Kulfi Truffle, French Broad Chocolates, Asheville.
Mocha, WR Chocolatier, Raleigh.

Pickles:
Dill Kraut + Pickles and Beets + Caraway, Two Chicks Farm, Hillsborough.

Preserves:
Muscadine Grape Jelly, Farmer's Daughter, Hillsborough.