At Candy Industry’s 72nd Kettle Awards, with nearly 250 guests in attendance, Sara Clair, director of product development for Brown & Haley, received the industry’s most prestigious award, the gleaming copper kettle. Shawn Askinosie, founder and ceo of Askinosie Chocolates; Steve Genzoli, v.p. of quality assurance/research and redevelopment for Ghirardelli; and Kirkland Vashaw, ceo of Spangler Candy Co.; were also recognized at the event, which was held at the Union League Club in Chicago.
Clair, who also serves as the chairperson of National Confectioners Association (NCA)’s The Confectionery Foundation, has blended candy making with education throughout her career. Clair formed a dessert catering business in high school and in 1978 — while in college — developed a methodology to extend the shelf-life of her premium, fresh cream Silver Elegance truffles.