Judges have selected Lady Belle’s product, Gritscuits® (Sunday Dinner), as one of 37 finalists to compete in the second and final round of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ annual Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest.

Narrowed from a field of more than 170 products submitted by 90 businesses, the finalists will compete on April 17 at The Classic Center in Athens with an award ceremony to follow. The 2025 event, Savor the State, is open to the public from 2 to 6 p.m.; the $20 admission includes samples from finalists in attendance and one drink ticket. Registration is now open.

Lady Belle is all about French Flair, Southern Flavor and our Gritscuits® are the perfect combination of French pastry, flavorful southern grits and finesse. Et Viola! A new Georgia classic is born! Gritscuits® are our delicious creation of French gougeres (cheese puffs) filled with cheese grits. Our Sunday Dinner Gritscuit® is Lady Belle's tribute to classic elements of a Soulful Southern Sunday dinner. We partner with local small businesses, My Sunday Greens (Atlanta) and Unique Southern Foods (Brookhaven) to create this Southern "hot pocket": Mac & Cheese flavored grits, collard greens & smoked turkey.

Representing Georgia’s diverse culinary heritage

The contest is the state’s proving ground for small, upstart food companies as well as established products looking for recognition or new markets. This year’s finalists represent all corners of the state and the best of Georgia’s diverse culinary heritage.

“The 2025 Flavor of Georgia contest is a true testament to the meaning behind the competition: to act as a platform for Georgia food entrepreneurs and their visionary products,” said Manpreet Singh, CAES food science and technology department head. “Our experts in the Department of Food Science and Technology and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, along with the volunteers, have worked hard to not only successfully host this event each year but enhance it to provide an enriching experience and better serve the contestants and attendees who make this CAES Signature event so exceptional.”

Judges for the final round of the contest will include food product experts, community members, local businesses and political leaders. Entries are evaluated by category based on Georgia connection, commercial appeal, taste, innovation and market potential. Contestants will provide samples to judges while pitching their products in a three-minute presentation. Winners will be named for each category, the overall grand prize and a people’s choice award, which will be chosen by event attendees.

More than a contest — it’s a business booster

Flavor of Georgia is more than a contest; it helps promote and showcase the variety and success of food entrepreneurs in the state. Since 2007, more than 2,225 products have been entered into the contest, and participating businesses have experienced increased sales, business contacts, publicity and overall interest in their products.

Past finalists report that participation in the contest boosts their annual sales by about 20% on average. Taking into account multiplier effects, it is estimated that increased sales from participating in Flavor of Georgia contribute to more than $5.6 million in annual revenue for the Georgia economy, according to a follow-up survey of previous finalists and winners from 2015-2019.

The Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest is organized by the UGA CAES Department of Food Science and Technology and supported by presenting sponsor Massey Ferguson as well as the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Georgia Grown, the CAES Alumni Association, Farm Credit Associations of Georgia, Corteva Agriscience, and the Georgia Agribusiness Council. This event is a part of CAES Signature Events. These special events showcase outstanding faculty contributions, foster community and industry collaboration, and spotlight the college's impact on a global scale.

More information about the contest is available at flavorofgeorgia.caes.uga.edu and by following the contest on Facebook, X or Instagram.