Contest Rules
Registration is required prior to sample submission and must be completed online. All product information must be entered at time of registration. Products must be registered and paid in full by 5 p.m. EST Feb. 3, 2023, to be considered eligible. All entry fees are non-refundable.
A valid food license number or co-packer license number is required at the time of registration. Contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Division for questions concerning licensing.
Entries will be judged on technical aspects such as flavor, texture and ingredient profile. Also considered are potential market volume, consumer appeal and how well the product represents Georgia.
One entry category must be designated for each product during registration. Final product categories and category placements are at the discretion of contest organizers.
All applicants will be featured in the 2023 Flavor of Georgia directory, which includes full business and product information as entered at registration, in print at the contest and digitally on the contest website. By entering this contest, the applicant agrees to grant to Flavor of Georgia an unlimited license for the use of its business and product information for the aforementioned purposes. Entrant and product names and images may be used without compensation in the directory and publicity materials. Organizers are not responsible for any claims of infringement and applicant agrees to defend and indemnify the Organizer in the event such claims are brought as a result of Applicant's entry.
Three finalists per category will be notified by email on March 10, 2023, for advancement to the final round. Details related to the final judging will be included in that email.
Finalists are required to provide samples of their products and participate in the final judging, which includes a three-minute presentation to a judging panel. The finalists contest judging, awards ceremony and reception is set for March 28, 2023. Finalists unable to participate in these events will have their title rescinded and another competitor may be chosen at the discretion of the contest organizers. Travel, lodging arrangements and associated expenses are solely the responsibility of the participating businesses.
Finalists and winners will also receive the use of titles and Flavor of Georgia logos for product promotion. Flavor of Georgia reserves the right to revoke the use of its titles and logos in the event a finalist or winner is later disqualified, is determined to have at any time violated the rules of this contest, or the University determines that further use of the Flavor of Georgia titles and logos by you would diminish the quality and value of such titles and logos.
Decisions of judges are final and scoring sheets will not be released.
Product Guidelines and Standards
Full submission details and the official mailing label will be provided via email once registration is complete.
Only food products fit for human consumption and that are made by Georgia-based businesses are eligible for the contest entry.
TWO product samples must be submitted and will only be accepted on March 6-8, 2023. Submissions received outside of this submission window will not be accepted for judging. The official shipping label MUST be attached to all product samples (emailed following registration). All products must be manufactured, shipped and/or prepared (as applicable) in accordance with safe and legal food preparation guidelines of the State of Georgia.
All products must be properly packed by the entrant to ensure freshness. Packages should be labeled ‘PERISHABLE’ and with other instructions as applicable (ex. ‘FREEZE’ or ‘REFRIGERATE’).
Contest organizers and collaborators will not be responsible for products that are improperly packed, mislabeled, late, damaged, lost or stolen. Contest organizers reserve the right to disqualify any product that, in their judgment, appears to be spoiled or may present a health hazard. No containers or leftover products will be returned.
Consider the presentation of products when packing and shipping for delivery, as they will be professionally photographed for the product directory in the exact state received. However, do not include any additional materials, props, or other products that are not registered as part of your submission.
A nutrition label is NOT required for submission to the contest. However, any product submitted must be manufactured by a legally licensed facility, including co-packers and cottage food establishments. For more information about nutrition labels and requirements, see “Nutrition Facts Panel for your Food Product Label” at the UGA Extension Food Science website (www.efsonline.uga.edu). Organizers of this contest work independently from this service.
By registering, you agree to the rules, product guidelines and standards listed for the University of Georgia Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest and further state that all information provided in the entry form is accurate and you are an authorized agent of the enterprise submitting the registration and product. You further attest that the company/product names are listed as they should appear on the potential award and in the contest and press materials. In consideration for the opportunity to participate in the University of Georgia Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, the University of Georgia, and its officers and employees, from any claims, damages, judgments, or losses of any kind arising from your actions, including (i) your non-compliance with the rules of this contest, (ii) your breach of any laws applicable to the product you submit to the contest, (iii) your infringement of the University's or any third party's intellectual property rights, and (iv) your failure to cease use of the Flavor of Georgia titles and logos after you have been directed by the University to do so or have otherwise relinquished the right to use such titles and logos. Rules and regulations are subject to change.