Award-Winning Excellence in Craft Maple

Chef Steve Stallard, CEO, and Founder of BLiS Gourmet accepted the award for the country’s Best Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup at Bissell Maple Farm’s Second Annual Craft Maple Syrup Festival.

The syrups competed in a blind taste test judged by a team of 10 researchers from the food science department of Ohio State University including OSU Professor Luis Rodriguez-Saona and 3 former maple syrup production managers. The researchers specialize in maple syrup, and Dr. Luis Rodriguez-Saona also tested all entries for their barrel-aging authenticity. It is an honor to receive this prestigious award from such a highly qualified jury.

This is the second year in a row that Steve and BLiS gourmet won this award.  Steve was also awarded the “Stevie” award at the inaugural Craft Maple Syrup Festival in 2018 in honor of his contributions and innovation in being a founder of the craft maple syrup industry. The “Stevie” is now awarded to the Best in Show entry each year.

“We would like to thank the team at Bissel Maple Farm for working hard to promote and serve the craft maple syrup industry. The team of experts put together for the judging is the first of its kind and really helps to bring attention to the many producers who are bringing unique and authentic products to the market”.

Congratulations to all of the winners from this year’s festival, we look forward to continuing to work with other maple syrup producers to promote the craft maple syrup industry and to ensure that quality and authenticity remain at the core of what we do. Cheers!