In capturing the 67th Kettle Award, self-proclaimed “shy guy” R. Anthony Sweet, chairman of the Sweet Candy Co., receives recognition for his lifelong dedication to the family business and the industry in general.
R. Anthony, aka “Tony” Sweet never dreamed of being a Kettle Award recipient. In fact, he steadfastly refused to be nominated, believing any accomplishments he had achieved were part of a team effort rather than an individual accolade. Fortunately, this year, his daughter, Rachel Sweet, and nephew, Rick Kay, convinced him to change his mind, successfully arguing that it was time for the self-described “shy guy” to accept the honor of becoming a nominee.
Even upon hearing his name called out as a nominee that May night in Chicago’s Union League Club, Tony remained his humble self; he felt honored just to be in the company of the other three nominees: James Buffardi, cfo for Ferrara Pan Candy Co.; Mitchell Goetze, president and ceo of Goetze’s Candy Co.; and Charles Flavelle, chairman of Purdy’s Chocolates.