Awards Velatis Received

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
NEWSRELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Marion Horsley, 804/225-3820

WINNER OF BEST NEW PRODUCT COMPETITION ANNOUNCED AT VIRGINIA FOOD AND BEVERAGE EXPO

NEW BLACK CHERRY BRANDY FLAVOR COMES OUT ON TOP. The original Velatis caramel company took Best New Food honors at Savor Virginia, the 10th Anniversary of the Virginia Food and Beverage Expo with a new version, Black Cherry Brandy.


Tradition with a twist won the day at Savor Virginia, the 10th Anniversary of the Virginia Food and Beverage Expo, held March 17, 2004 in Richmond, Virginia. The winners of the Expo’s Best New Product competition were products that turned an old favorite into a Delicious innovation. Selected by Expo attendees, winners were Judged on their originality taste and packaging.

The Original Velatis caramel company returned to its Richmond, Virginia roots to claim Best New Food honors for its unique Black Cherry Brandy flavor candy. “I was astounded that we won and very pleased. We had never entered a contest before,” said company CEO
William Servais. “The black cherry brandy caramel came about because I love chocolate covered cherries. We added ingredients to our original caramel recipe and people seem to love it.”

The company started in Richmond prior to the Civil War, moved to Washington, D.C., then returned to the Richmond area in 2002. The Servais family purchased The Original Velatis and the original old European recipes and began production in 1996.