This Year, Avid Kettle Award Observers had to Wait a Little Longer to Find out who the Recipient Would be, the Announcement Coinciding With the National Confectioners Association’s all Candy Expo, Which was Held in September Rather Than the Usual June Date.

As expected, however, a healthy crowd of nearly 300 gathered at the Intercontinental Hotel’s Renaissance Room to find out who among the nominees – Charles Flavelle of R. C. Purdy Chocolates, Judy Cooley of Hershey’s and Jorge Farber of Madelaine Chocolate Novelties – would receive the esteemed kettle.

As always a hush fell over the crowd as the Kettle Committee’s Chairman Bill Copeland of aspecialtybox.com turned over the envelope to Vice Chairman James Heinz of Bell Flavors for the announcement.

The hurrahs and shouts coming from Farber’s camp, which included his wife and three daughters, punctuated the reception hall. A beaming Jorge Farber then proceeded to thank his family, his colleagues and the industry for making this evening a very special one, one that he continues to recall with warmth and love.