2025 Alberta Food & Beverage Award Submissions

Product Submission and Payment Details

A completed online submission form, along with full payment, must be returned for each submitted product. Payment must be completed no later than Monday, May 26th.

All products must be delivered to NAIT  between Tuesday, May 20 – Friday, May 23 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM) in time for judging.

Cost to Enter:

• AFPA Members:  $100 for your first submission + 25% off each subsequent submission
• Non-Members: $150 per submission (Become an AFPA Member)

An invoice will be sent to you for payment, and it must be settled prior to judging. Payments can be made via credit card, e-transfer, EFT, or cheque.

How much product should I send for judging?

Please provide enough product for 8 individual tastings. In addition, be sure to include TWO fresh examples of your product’s packaging for judging and display purposes.

Courier Deliver to:

NAIT Centre for Culinary Innovation
U152, 11762 – 106 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T5G 2R1

In Person Drop Off:

NAIT Centre for Culinary
U152
10701 118 Ave,  NW
Edmonton, AB T5G 2R1

All products must be delivered between Tuesday, May 20 – Friday, May 23 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

Delivery Contact:
Chris Song
📧 csong@nait.ca | 📞 780-604-6001

Please ensure that refrigerated/frozen products are dropped off in person for quality assurance.

Submitted samples must be production quality and not specially prepared or formulated for the Awards.

Packaging showing product nutritional labeling must be included with samples.

Submitted samples become the property of AFPA for use by the independent judging panel in determining category winners. Product samples will not be returned.

Submission Categories

Category Descriptions for Use in Judging

Bakery 

Recognizing excellence in baked goods crafted in Alberta, this category celebrates products that demonstrate exceptional taste, texture, creativity, and consistency.

• Breads – Leavened or unleavened, artisan or classic loaves
• Desserts – Includes cakes, cookies, pies, pastries, and more.

Beverages

• Non-Alcoholic/ Non-Dairy – Processed beverages, including juices, kombucha, soda, water, and energy drinks.
• Coffee and Tea. Whose final substantial transformation takes place in Alberta.

Alcohol

Recognizing exceptional alcoholic beverages produced and bottled in Alberta.

• Beer and Ale – This category recognizes Alberta-made beers and ales that showcase quality craftsmanship, creativity, and adherence to brewing traditions or innovations.
• Pre-Mixed Cocktails / RTD – This category recognizes Alberta-made ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages that combine spirits with mixers (like juice, soda, or syrups) in a pre-packaged format.
• Spirits – This category recognizes Alberta-made alcoholic beverages made by distillation. Includes gin, vodka, whisky, etc.
• Wine & Mead – This category recognizes Alberta-made Wines and Meads.

Cereal Products

Finished cereal products made with Alberta-processed grains and ingredients. Includes granola, oatmeal, breakfast cereals, and other grain-based items.

Condiments & Sauces

Finished product or additive processed in Alberta. Includes mustards, ketchups, dressings, sauces, chutneys, marinades, and spreads.

Dairy Products

Dairy product or product where dairy-based ingredients are a significant portion of the product.

• Eggs and Egg Products – Includes fresh, pasteurized, or value-added egg products.
• Butter – Includes whipped, spreadable and light butters, cultured & European style butters, compound butters (mixtures of butter blended with additional ingredients to enhance flavor) and Clarified butters and Ghee
• Cheese – Includes fresh cheeses, soft-ripened cheeses, semi-soft and semi-hard cheeses, crud, brined cheeses, processed cheeses, and flavored & specialty cheeses

Growers

Unprocessed organic products such as vegetables and fruits raised or grown in Alberta

Meat

Finished product using Alberta raised meat or seafood as a primary ingredient. Includes fresh, cured, smoked, or value-added products.

Oils & Seasoning

Finished product or additive processed in Alberta. Includes cooking oils, infused oils, spice blends, rubs, and seasoning mixes produced in Alberta.

Pasta & Noodles

Finished product utilizing grains and ingredients processed in Alberta

Prepared Meals

Ready-to-eat or heat-and-serve meals / prepared product processed in Alberta. Includes frozen, refrigerated, or shelf-stable items.

Snack Foods

This category showcases finished products processed in Alberta, including chips, bars, popcorn, jerky, and more.

Sweets & Candy

Finished product processed in Alberta, from chocolates to gummies to toffees.

• Quality of Product Evaluated on flavour, texture, consistency, shelf life, and overall product excellence.
• Innovative Use of Alberta Ingredients  Demonstrates creative or unexpected use of locally sourced ingredients to add value, uniqueness, or functionality to the product.
• Unique Selling Features  What sets the product apart? Judges will look for distinctive attributes—be it health claims, functional benefits, sensory appeal, or niche market relevance.
• Innovative Packaging  Creative, functional, sustainable, or user-friendly packaging that enhances the product’s marketability, shelf presence, or convenience.
• Solution to a Challenge or Market Opportunity  Addresses a specific consumer, industry, or environmental challenge. Could relate to health, sustainability, convenience, food security, or accessibility.
• Potential Business, Social, or Economic Impact  Demonstrates potential to scale, drive job creation, foster sustainability, support Alberta agriculture, or contribute positively to community well-being.