When Candy Industry's founder and publisher, Don Gussow, established the Kettle Award in 1946, he did so not knowing who the first recipient would be. 

Russell Stover was the first

When Candy Industry’s founder and publisher, Don Gussow, established the Kettle Award in 1946, he did so not knowing who the  first recipient would be. As he explained to readers then, the Kettle Award was meant as  “recognition of the contribution for ‘great or good’ of the industry, not only on the part of the person selected for the distinction, but of every member of the confectionery field who has devoted himself in whatever measure to make the business of candy making and selling a more profitable and happier one.”

Cognizant that the supplier community is intimately involved with the confectionery industry, Gussow created the Kettle Committee consisting of representatives from leading suppliers to the industry. The Kettle Committee was charged to first nominate candidates and then, through a balloting process involving readers and culminating with a  final vote from the Committee, select a recipient.

Just to be nominated for the Kettle Award is an honor all to itself. Oftentimes, the actual selection has been an arduous one, with many or all nominees worthy of the recognition. In choosing Russell Stover, president of the Russell Stover Candy Co. in 1946, the Kettle Committee exemplified what the Kettle Award stands for in the industry. 

Since that selection, the Kettle Committee has continued to meet the challenge, choosing the best and brightest amongst scores of nominees, as the accompanying list of winners attests.

During the following pages, Candy Industry gives tribute to those who have earned the industry’s highest honor as well as salutes those who have been nominated for this year’s Kettle Award.

Clips From Past Kettle Awards

The following photo snippets provide just a brief historical montage of the Kettle Awards’ rich history, which goes back to 1946. As much as Candy Industry would have liked to run photos of every Kettle ceremony and recipient, space and occasionally availability to past photos was a factor. We hope to include those missing from this initial Salute to the Kettle supplement in future issues.

Albanese Confectionery Group
2009 Kettle Nominee – Scott Albanese

American  Licorice Co.
1965 Kettle Recipient – Clarence M. Kretchmer

Fannie May Confections Brands
1976 Kettle Recipient – Denton Thorne

Ferrara Pan Candy Co.
1975 Kettle Recipient – Nello Ferrara
2002 Kettle Recipient – Salvatore Ferrara

Getrude Hawk Chocolates
2005 Kettle Recipient – David Hawk

Guittard Chocolate Co.
2008 Kettle Recipient – Gary Guittard

Jelly Belly Candy Co.
1988 Kettle Recipient –  Herman G. Rowland
1995 Kettle Recipient - Russ Albers 
2001 Kettle Recipient - Jim McGovern (Peerless Candy Co.)
2006 Kettle Recipient -  Bill Kelley
2009 Kettle Nominee - Mike Bianco 

Madelaine Chocolate Novelties
2007 Kettle Recipient – Jorge Farber

Pulakos 926 Chocolates
1983 Kettle Recipient – Archilles (Herk) Pulakos

R.M. Palmer Co.
1991 Kettle Recipient – Richard Palmer Jr.

Russell Stover Candies
1946 Kettle Recipient – Russell Stover
1969 Kettle Recipient – John Vassos (Whitman’s Chocolates)
1982 Kettle Recipient – James W. Nixon (Whitman’s Chocolates)
1994 Kettle Recipient – Louis Ward
2006 Kettle Nominee – Thomas Ward

Tootsie Roll Co.
1977 Kettle Recipient – Hy  Becker (Cella’s Confections, Inc.)
1985 Kettle Recipient – Ellen Gordon
2009 Kettle Nominee – Melvin Gordon

Warrell Corp.
2004 Kettle Recipient – Lincoln Warrell

World’s Finest Chocolate, Inc.
1987 Kettle Recipient – Edmond A. Opler, Sr.
2008 Kettle Nominee – Edmond F. Opler