WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

 

Flat Creek Lodge Takes Home Grand Award in Flavors of Georgia Competition

 

Swainsboro, Georgia (March 26, 2009) – We’re so proud, we just can’t resist tooting our own horn. As a still pretty new Dairy, the team at Flat Creek Lodge was pleased as punch to win the third annual Flavor of Georgia food products contest. Governor Sonny Perdue announced the winners at a ceremony held at the Georgia Freight Depot in Atlanta on March 17, and Flat Creek Lodge owner Caroline Harless was on-hand to gleefully accept the award.

Pulling in first place in the dairy category as well as being named the overall winner, Flat Creek Lodge won for head cheesemaker Dan Huebner’s nearly famous Aztec Cheddar. Made with guajilo peppers and cocoa, the marbled cheddar harkens back to the spicy way chocolate was initially enjoyed by Mesoamericans.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be honored with first place in the competition,” said Harless. “Winning in the dairy category would have been quite an honor, but winning overall has kept us smiling for days. We are so proud of our Flat Creek Dairy team!”

Flat Creek Lodge’s Aztec Cheddar topped the 112 submissions from 81 businesses competing in this year’s Flavor of Georgia. In addition to the overall and dairy categories, winners were chosen in BBQ & hot sauces; confections; jams, jellies and sauces; meats; snack foods and other foods.

Flavor of Georgia 2009 was held in conjunction with Georgia Ag Day, which kicked off National Agricultural Awareness Week in Georgia. The competition is sponsored by the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, Georgia Agribusiness Council, the Governor’s Agricultural Advisory Commission and the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Department of Food Science and Technology.

The Flat Creek Lodge Dairy looks forward to celebrating their win throughout 2009, and Huebner already has plenty of new ideas cooking. Late last year, Flat Creek welcomed 40 Lacaune-East Friesian mix sheep that have now had 40 lambs. The milking has begun, and Huebner looks forward to creating Flat Creek’s first round of sheep’s milk cheeses, which should be ready sometime this summer.

Flat Creek Lodge cheeses can be found at a variety of retails spots (like Whole Foods and Savor in Atlanta and Sawecki’s in Decatur) and restaurants throughout Georgia and the Southeast. This month, Destiny Produce - the only Certified Organic distributor in Georgia – began distribution of Flat Creek’s line of artisanal cheeses. The cheeses are also available online anytime at www.flatcreeklodge.com.

Located just three hours southeast of Atlanta, Flat Creek Lodge welcomes the discerning sportsman and sportswoman to an unforgettable hunting and fishing adventure. Amid a pristine and private woodland preserve, guests can stay in the main Lodge or in a private Cottage.  Visitors can enjoy many outdoor activities, relax in the Spa, or pamper themselves in the uniquely designed Japanese Bathhouse before experiencing the cuisine in the Flat Creek Lodge Dining Room.  Menus feature fresh, seasonal herbs, fruits, and vegetables, wild game and seafood from the Golden Isles of Georgia.  Dining on Friday and Saturday evenings is four or five courses paired with just the right wine.  The 2,000-acre Flat Creek Lodge is located at 367 Bishop Chapel Church Road, Swainsboro, Georgia 30401. The Lodge can be reached at 478.237.FISH or 877.352.8273.  It can also be visited online at www.flatcreeklodge.com.

 

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