Candy Industry’s Kettle Award Committee has announced the 2023 nominees for the industry’s most prestigious award. The nominees, who were selected based on their accomplishments, activities, and contributions to the confectionery industry, include:

• Douglas R. Dressman, president and CEO, Esther Price Candies, Corp., Dayton, OH
• Kirk Vashaw, chairman and CEO, Spangler Candy Co., Bryan, OH
• Sylvia Buxton, president and CEO, Perfetti Van Melle North America, Erlanger, Kentucky

To vote for the nominees and to read their bios, visit the Kettle Awards website. Voting will close end of February.

Each of the nominees for this illustrious award were nominated as determined by the criteria set up for the Kettle Award in 1945. The criteria require superior achievement in the following areas: sales and marketing; education and personnel training; energy and environmental contributions; quality advancement; production and plant improvement; and research and product development.

Candy Industry’s founder and publisher, Don Gussow, established the Kettle Award in 1946. 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.”

The chairman and members of the Kettle Committee, which consists of representatives from leading suppliers to the industry, will present the 77th Kettle Awards at a gala reception from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. May 23, during the Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago. The event will be held in the main dining room of the Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W. Jackson Blvd. Hors d'oeuvres will be served from 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. and the award program will begin on stage directly thereafter.

All individuals working in or with the confectionery industry are welcomed to attend.

Tickets for the event will go on sale in early 2023, and this is the second year that ticket sales have been opened to the public.