One of our favorite finds at the 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show was a tamarind-based BBQ sauce that immediately caught our attention. If you grew up in the Caribbean like we did, then you’re already well-acquainted with tamarind’s tart, tangy, and slightly sweet profile. Tamarind Heads BBQ Sauce – Medium won the prestigious Gold Award in the Barbecue Sauce category at the Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) 2024 Sofi Awards, which is a significant honor in the $207-billion specialty food industry.
Each bottle of Tamarind Heads BBQ sauce, available in Medium and Hot varieties, encapsulates a commitment to boldness, originality, and top-notch quality. This sauce boasts a tart and tangy flavor profile complemented by a touch of smokiness, a hint of sweetness, and a punch of heat. Both versions are vegan, gluten-free, preservative-free, and free of corn syrup, catering to health-conscious consumers without compromising on taste.
For those unfamiliar with the brand, Tamarind Heads was co-founded in 2019 by Sashi Kumar and Jim Giberson. Based in New York, their mission is to celebrate tamarind’s cultural richness and culinary versatility. Tamarind Heads aims to deliver next-generation flavors that bridge the gap between traditional tastes and modern preferences, resonating with the evolving global palate. The company’s BBQ and hot sauces are skillfully crafted and blended in the US, ensuring high-quality products.
Tamarind Heads was selected by a panel of specialty food experts, buyers, and media as the top Barbecue Sauce product, standing out among Gold Award winners in 49 categories. The selection process focuses on taste, including flavor, appearance, texture, and aroma, as well as ingredient quality and innovation. All tastings are conducted anonymously at the Rutgers Food Innovation Center to ensure impartiality.
The Sofi Awards, which have been awarded annually since 1972, are open to members of the SFA. Winners were showcased at the 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show, held from June 23rd to 25th at the Javits Center in New York, and celebrated at the inaugural Sofi Awards Gala on June 24th. The Summer Fancy Food Show is a premier event for specialty food product discovery, open exclusively to industry professionals.
For more information on Tamarind Heads’ BBQ and hot sauces, visit www.tamarindheads.com.
