'It’s like Trick or Treating for adults': Mi New Favorite Snack Competition announces winners

All of Vantage Point smelled of sweet and savory snacks because of the Mi New Favorite Snack Competition Saturday.

The competition was a celebration of both Michigan small businesses and love for food. It was put on and sponsored by the Blue Water Chamber of Commerce, the Community Foundation of St. Clair County and All-Star Services.

“The turnout has been great, and the vendors have just been wonderful. I’m really looking forward to next year’s competition,” said Thelma Castillo, president of the Blue Water Chamber of Commerce.

According to the organizers, this is the largest snack competition in America.

All 20 finalists were Michigan-based small businesses. Out of those finalists, Beth Welser was the only one from St. Clair County. She is the owner of Dot’s Candy Bar in St. Clair and has plans to open her own store in the Wrigley Center.

She said she is proud to represent St. Clair County for the competition.

“It’s like trick or treating for adults,” she said. “This has been such a wonderful and positive experience.”

Welser said she loved seeing the faces of people who tried her snack, which was a peanut butter bar. She said it gave her a boost in confidence to see their reactions.

Lansing resident Nikki Thompson-Fraizer represented her business Sweet Encounters. She started her business as a way for her daughters, who have food allergies, to enjoy sweet treats. All of her products are peanut and gluten free.

Her snack in the competition was a caramel apple cream cheese bar.

“I think (the competition) is a great way to spread awareness of and support small businesses,” she said. “Kudos to the organizers.”

Litchfield resident, Stefen Schmelzer represented his farm, Ferry Farms, and brought 12 different kinds of sweet and savory beef jerky.

Schmelzer said the competition is a great way for Michigan businesses to receive new clients.

“It’s good to bring out Michigan companies because we need to support Michigan-based companies,” he said.

People in the community had the opportunity to come out and enjoy some snacks. For $10, people could receive a wristband that allowed them to try all 20 snacks for free. People who didn’t buy a wristband could buy the product straight from the vendor.

Port Huron Mayor Pro-Tem Sherry Archibald said she was happy to support the vendors. Although it was hard for her to choose, she said her favorite snack was either from Sweet Encounters or Pop City Popcorn.

“I’m not a big sweet eater,” she said. “I enjoyed sampling all the snacks, and it was hard to choose a favorite.”

Keith Kanter of Port Huron also said he glad to support the Michigan businesses. He said the competition was a great way to bring people to the Blue Water Area.

“I liked hearing the businesses stories,” he said. “This competition is really great for the Michigan local.”

He said the competition was a win-win for everyone involved.

First place went to Harrison Township resident, Andrew Chmielewski. He is the owner of Dave's Sweet Tooth and his snack was a milk chocolate toffee. Chmielewski won $30,000 and a distribution contract with All Star Services.

Second place went to Wyoming resident, Emme Eknam. She is the owner of Emme's Plantain Chips and her snack was masala plantain chips. She won $15,000.

Third place went to Whitmore Lake resident Jeff Dinser. He is the owner of Popside Snacks and his snack was freeze dried gummy worms. He won $5,000.

Judges based it off of taste, marketability, company story, branding and public engagement.

Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com or (810) 292-0122.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: The first Mi New Favorite Snack competition announces winners