Hawaii chocolate, candy and honey are among 291 finalists in the Good Food Awards 2017, a national competition to be held in January in San Francisco.

Lonohana Estate Chocolate’s Milk and Ginger, and Lonohana Estate 73 percent chocolates; Hawaiian Nougat Co.’s Lilikoi Nougat; and Akaka Falls Farm’s Lehua Honey were selected from among 2,059 entries hailing from 38 states.

The awards fall into 14 categories: chocolate, confections, honey, beer, charcuterie, cheese, coffee, cider, fish, oil, pantry, pickles, preserves and spirits.

All entries survived a rigorous vetting that required products to reflect environmentally sound agricultural practices, good animal husbandry, sourcing transparency and responsible relationships throughout the supply chain. Finalists were selected via blind tasting.

Winners will be announced Jan. 20 at a gala ceremony at the San Francisco War Memorial.

The following day, winners will exhibit their wares to industry buyers at the Good Food Awards Marketplace at Fort Mason Center.

Visit goodfoodawards.org.

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Star-Advertiser staff