A local retailer in artisanal breads is making its play for having the most delicious snacks in the state. On April 11, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences announced the finalists for Flavor of Georgia, the UGA department’s annual food product contest.
Cassava Breads of Evans is among the 32 food makers chosen to compete at the Classic Center in Athens, Ga. on Thursday Its Garlic and Herb cheese bread will be vying to be called Georgia’s tastiest snack food.
“We’re really excited to be a finalist in this category,” said Solomon Cohen, chef and CEO of Cassava Breads.
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Cohen launched the business that would become Cassava Breads in 2017, shortly after graduating from the Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts. He started by selling his breads at the Augusta Saturday Market.
“We’re five years old this month,” said Cohen. “I started selling cheese bread rolls in Ziploc bags at first, and literally grew my business from nothing.”
A member of Georgia Grown, a division of the Georgia Department of Agriculture that supports agribusinesses and food producers throughout the state, Cassava Breads retails to independent natural food markets, offers food services, ships online and even serves local restaurants.
Cassava Breads gets its namesake from the bread’s signature ingredient, a starchy root native to South America, and has four flavors of frozen artisan bread rolls: Classic, Chili Lime, Sweet Potato Herb and the finalist contender, Garlic and Herb.
Cohen submitted samples of all four to UGA for the snack food category, one of 11 Flavor of Georgia categories. Others include jams and jellies, meats and seafood, condiments and barbecue sauces.
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On April 21, the products will be evaluated by buyers and food product experts and be winners in named in each category.
“The first half of the day there’s going to be some sampling and judging, you have a three-minute presentation you do in front of the judges,” said Cohen.
Alongside presenting the product and the packaging, contestants also serve their product with another food. Cohen intends to pair the Garlic and Herb cheese bread with a mango peach jam and smoked gouda.
“It’s really cool,” said Cohen. “It helps bring a lot of exposure to businesses like mine, as well as resources for your stage of business, or guidance for helping you get to the next stage.”
For more information about Cassava Breads, visit its website at www.cassavabreads.com.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering education in Columbia County and business-related topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
