B.C. Processors Shine at the 2024 Rise Awards
Bottom (L-R) Barakah Eats owner Rshad Khan, Farming Karma Fruit Co co-founder Binny Boparai-Gil (CR), Chocxo Chocolatier team and founder Richard Foley (R) at the 2024 Rise Awards by BC Food & Beverage in New Westminster, November 28, 2024.
Photos by Picnic Creative for BCFB.
By Buy BC
December 3, 2024
Sixteen B.C. food and beverage processors took home top honours last Thursday at the 2024 Rise Awards, presented by BC Food & Beverage (BCFB). On November 28, the Buy BC team along with 400 industry professionals gathered in New Westminster for a sold-out event, celebrating exceptional leaders, innovators, and brands in B.C.’s dynamic food and beverage processing sector. The evening spotlighted the creativity, passion, and dedication of the people behind some of the province’s most noteworthy food and drink products.
2024 Rise Awards Event Highlights
Best in Brand
Farming Karma, Woman Entrepreneur of the Year
- Hall of Fame Inductee, Terra Breads
- Best in Brand, Chocxo Chocolatier
- Indigenous Led Business of the Year, Authentic Indigenous Seafood
- Leadership Award, Jeff Lee, Honey Bee Zen Apiaries Ltd.
- Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, Binny Boparai-Gill, Farming Karma Fruit Co.
- Product of the Year (Gold), The Better Butchers plant-based Chorizo Crumbles
Among the 16 Rise Award winners, 10 are proud Buy BC members. See the full list of 2024 Rise Award winners and finalists below, with a special nod to our Buy BC members.
2024 Rise Awards Winners and Finalists
2024 Rise Awards Hall of Fame Inductee
- Terra Breads
Best in Brand
- Winner, Chocxo Chocolatier (Buy BC)
- Legends Haul (Buy BC)
- Duchess Cocktails
Product of the Year
- Gold Winner, The Better Butchers – Plant Based Crumbles, Chorizo (Buy BC)
- Silver Winner, Poptastic – Honey Salt Popcorn
- Bronze Winner, Chocxo Chocolatier – Dark Chocolate Lemon Crème Cups (Buy BC)
- Mumgry – Chocolate Hazelnut Butter Spread
- Duchess Cocktails – Lemon Drop Cocktail
- Portofino Bakery – Roasted Garlic Cracked Pepper Artisan Loaf (Buy BC)
- Habibi’s – Toum Sauce (Buy BC)
- Blume – SuperBelly – Acai Pomegrante (Buy BC)
- Legends Haul – Woozas, Pepperoni Classic (Buy BC)
- The Plant Based Workshop – Ramen Kit, Spicy Tan Tan Nood (Buy BC)
Indigenous Led Business of the Year
- Winner, Authentic Indigenous Seafood
- Heart Berry Soda
- St. Jean’s Cannery (Buy BC)
Leadership
- Winner, Jeff Lee, Honey Bee Zen Apiaries Ltd. (Buy BC)
- Marc Wandler, Susgrainable (Buy BC)
- Laura Cuner DuBois, Avafina Organics (Buy BC)
Woman Entrepreneur of the Year
- Winner, Binny Boparai-Gill, Farming Karma Fruit Co. (Buy BC)
- Mayumi Bae, The Plant Based Workshop (Buy BC)
- Melanie Mulherin, Salt Spring Kitchen (Buy BC)
Emerging Business
- Winner, Barakah Eats (Buy BC)
- Yeshi Dressing (Buy BC)
- Nonny Beer (Buy BC)
Innovation
- Winner, Blume (Buy BC)
- The Plant Based Workshop (Buy BC)
- Aélo Expertly Handcrafted Cocktails
Social Impact
- Winner, Salt Spring Coffee
- Terra Breads
- Goodly Foods (Buy BC)
Sustainability
- Winner, Chiwis (Buy BC)
- Lass Chance Beverages (Buy BC)
- Bush Berry Tea
Outstanding Workplace – Health & Safety
- Winner, Fine Choice Foods
- Puratos
- Silver Hills Bakery
Circularity
- Winner, Vancouver Island Sea Salt (Buy BC)
- Level Ground Coffee (Buy BC)
- Goodly Foods (Buy BC)
Export
- Winner, Fine Choice Foods
- Nanak Foods
- Big Mountain Foods (Buy BC)
People’s Choice
- Winner, Salt Spring Kitchen Co. (Buy BC)
- Hardbite Chips (Buy BC)
- Mumgry Inc.
For more information, visit bcfb.ca/rise-awards.