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Highlights from the 75th Annual Kettle Award ceremony at the Union League Club of Chicago. Established in 1946 by Candy Industry's founder and publisher, Don Gussow, the Kettle Award represents the highest recognition an individual working within the U.S. confectionery industry can attain.

Salpa’s Jean-Paul Burrus hosts the European Candy Kettle Club in France.

The European Candy Kettle Club recently honored Salpa’s Jean-Paul Burrus. Visiting the French-based company meant staying in Strasbourg, France, which is right near the French-German border. As such, both cultures influence not just the city’s architecture, but also Salpa’s approach to business.

The company, which makes candy and tea, among other things, perfectly blends the creative and passionate approach to life that the French proudly exhibit, with the practical and business-focused approach the Germans are known for. It’s a perfect approach that is guaranteed to propel the company long into the future.

At Candy Industry’s 73^rd Kettle Awards, Mitchell Goetze, ceo of Goetze’s Candy Co., received the industry’s most prestigious award — the copper kettle.

Candy Industry hosted a reception and dinner to celebrate him and the other nominees, which included: Craig Leva, president and owner Arway Confectioners/Long Grove Confectionery; Chris Reid, president and ceo of the Piedmont Candy Co.; and Jean Thompson, president and ceo of Seattle Chocolate Co.

At Candy Industry’s 73^rd Kettle Awards, Mitchell Goetze, ceo of Goetze’s Candy Co., received the industry’s most prestigious award — the copper kettle.

Candy Industry hosted a reception and dinner to celebrate him and the other nominees, which included: Craig Leva, president and owner Arway Confectioners/Long Grove Confectionery; Chris Reid, president and ceo of the Piedmont Candy Co.; and Jean Thompson, president and ceo of Seattle Chocolate Co.

This wasn’t going to be your usual Kettle Award Reception. After all, this was the 70th anniversary of Candy Industry’s award to one deserving confectionery executive and leader. Thus, buses were waiting for attendees of the Sweets & Snacks Expo on Tuesday afternoon,  ready to whisk them away to the confectionery industry’s “Oscar’s night” at the prestigious Union League Club.

The piano man, Stu Hirsch, welcomed regulars and newcomers to the reception with soft jazz tunes, adding a classy tone to this annual get-together aimed at honoring the industry’s best and brightest.

Just before the Kettle Committee’s officers, Bryan Bainbridge, chairman, and Scott Funk, vice chairman, began introducing the nominees — Robert Nelson, Elmer Candy Co.; Michael Rosenberg of the Promotion in Motion Cos., Inc; and James Sconza, Sconza Candy Co. — Bainbridge asked for a moment of silence for all those working in the confectionery industry who has passed away the previous year.

In remembering the past, Bainbridge and Funk then transitioned to the future, detailing the accomplishments of each nominee. To usher in the dramatic moment, Bainbridge asked past recipients to come up to the stage to be recognized once again.

As if on cue, the room turned quiet when Robert Dono, the Kettle Committee’s secretary, slowly carried a black leather briefcase to the podium, handing it over to Funk. Upon opening the briefcase, Funk passed the envelope onto Bainbridge to formerly announce this year’s silver anniversary recipient. 

Once again — as is the tradition — the crowd burst into applause when Michael Rosenberg was announced as the 2015 Kettle Award recipient. Rosenberg graciously acknowledged his fellow nominees, his wife and family, his colleagues at Promotion in Motion Cos., and the industry for the honor.

 Rosenberg and the nominees, as well as past recipients and special guests then proceeded to enjoy a special anniversary dinner featuring filet mignon and lobster. To cap off the meal and evening, the U.S. pastry team, coached by Guittard Chocolate’s executive pastry chef, Donald Wressell, prepared a luscious dessert plate. 

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