prized PIES

opposite: dancing lion artisan“ chocolate bars”

“Lavender Mustard”

“Simply Smoked Salmon,” Cheshire Garden

Boston Smoked Fish

“Spicy & Garlic Dill Pickles,” clockwise from top: Fox Point Pickling Co.

More photos of the winners at: YankeeMagazine.com/ FoodAwards cheshiregarden.com

Suggested Retail Price: $5 per 8-ounce jar

Founded in 1986 by Ralph Legrande and Patti Powers, Cheshire Garden’s line of organic, small-batch farmstead preserves and mustards make good use of their annual crop of berries, stone fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Of special note is their Lavender Mustard, which includes local wildflower honey and lavender harvested right from Legrande and Powers’ own hillside, giving the mustard a subtly sweet aroma and flavor.

WINCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Lavender Mustard

CHESHIRE GARDEN fattoadfarm.com

Suggested Retail Price: $14 per 8-ounce jar

Hastings run a small goat dairy that’s producing a deliciously unique line of goat’s-milk caramels with a wonderfully subtle tang. Their jarred caramel sauce comes in a handful of tempting flavors, such as Vermont Maple and Cold Brew Coffee, but we’re especially smitten with the Salted Bourbon, which boasts just the right amount of Kentucky straight bourbon and a pinch of sea salt. Drizzle on ice cream, fruit, or even cheese for a sinfully sweet treat.

At Fat Toad Farm in central Vermont, husband-and-wife team Judith Irving and Steve Reid and their daughter Calley

BROOKFIELD, VERMONT

Salted Bourbon Caramel

FAT TOAD FARM