A small Dundee candy maker just scored a big national nod right before the holidays.
Hazy Fudge, a woman-owned, family-run business in the Finger Lakes, has been named a finalist for the 2026 sofi Awards, the specialty food industry’s top prize .
Only 75 products earned finalist spots out of more than 1,200 entries nationwide. Hazy Fudge is also one of just three finalists in the Chocolate & Confections category.
Founder and CEO Carol Fitzgerald said the recognition reaches beyond her business. “This recognition shines a spotlight on the entire Finger Lakes region,” Fitzgerald said. “For our community to have a national finalist in its backyard — especially during the holidays — is something to be proud of” .
A spoonable twist on fudge
The product earning national attention is Hazy Fudge’s Cabernet-Infused Spoonable Fudge. The company makes it in small batches using ethically sourced chocolate, UNC Dairy’s O-AT-KA Sweetened Condensed Milk, and Glenora Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon .
Unlike traditional fudge, this version comes in a jar. Customers can eat it with a spoon, stir it into coffee or cocoa, spread it on toast, drizzle it on desserts, or add it to a charcuterie board. Each box even includes a spoon .
Industry judges take notice
The sofi Awards are judged by expert buyers from across the specialty food world. Bill Lynch, president of the Specialty Food Association, said the finalists stood out in a crowded field. “There are thousands of food and beverage products on store shelves, and yet amidst the multitude of options, these finalists have risen above their peers,” Lynch said .
Hazy Fudge products are available online for holiday shipping and at select Finger Lakes retailers. A full list of locations appears on the company’s website .
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