BC Food & Beverage RISE Awards 2026: Meet the Finalists
Public voting is now open for the annual BC Food & Beverage RISE Awards, celebrating the brands, products and people helping shape what we eat and drink in British Columbia.
There’s a lot happening in B.C.’s food and beverage world right now, and sometimes the best reminder of just how creative the industry is comes in a box.
BC Food & Beverage recently sent Good Life Vancouver a collection of products highlighting some of the makers connected to the 2026 RISE Awards, and unpacking it was a delicious snapshot of an industry that stretches well beyond the products we regularly see on grocery store shelves.
The annual RISE Awards recognize B.C. businesses and individuals for achievements ranging from innovation and branding to sustainability, export success, leadership and community impact. The 2026 awards will be presented November 25 at the Delta Burnaby Hotel.
Public voting is underway now and runs until 11:59 p.m. PT on September 28.
B.C. brands to put on your radar
The finalists provide an interesting look at where B.C. food and beverage is heading.
In the Best in Brand category, Fraser Valley brewery Field House Brewing Co. is up against Vancouver-born chocolatier Purdys Chocolatier and Snackish, the colourful new snack brand founded by SmartSweets founder Tara Bosch.
The Emerging Business finalists are particularly worth watching.
Suna is bringing Japanese tea culture together with functional beverages through protein lattes containing 20 grams of protein and 10 grams of collagen.
Vancouver-based Edna’s Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Company continues the rapid growth of the zero-proof category, while OHME! Foods is creating freeze-dried snacks using Canadian-sourced ingredients.
Innovation looks delicious
Some of the most playful nominees can be found in the Innovation Award category.
Gummy Gainz has put protein into a candy format, while Fromage Protein Pops has transformed cottage cheese into a frozen treat.
Then there’s Vancouver-based Maia Farms, which is using microbiology and agritech to develop mushroom- and plant-based food ingredients with an eye toward scalable, clean-label food production.
Innovation isn’t confined to new ingredients either.
The Circularity Award recognizes companies finding ways to reduce waste and rethink how resources are used. This year’s finalists include Windset Farms, Stoke the Fire Hot Sauce and Forest Bean Co.
B.C. products heading around the world
The RISE Awards also shine a light on companies taking B.C.-made food beyond Canada.
The Export Award finalists include Victoria-born DeeBee’s Organics, organic chai producer Say When Beverages and Westberry Farms, which exports B.C. blueberries to international markets.
It’s a reminder that local food doesn’t necessarily stay local — B.C. brands are increasingly finding customers well beyond the province.
Who gets the People’s Choice vote?
Three very different B.C. companies are competing for the People’s Choice Award.
Atome Bakery has built a following around frozen artisan sourdough that customers bake fresh at home.
oomé is giving smoked tofu a modern makeover and expanding its reach across Canada.
Port Coquitlam-based GluteNull has developed a range of breads, cookies, bars and granola focused on gluten-free, plant-based and allergen-conscious foods.
The people behind the products
The RISE Awards aren’t only about what’s on the plate.
The Leadership Award finalists are Arshita Saini of GluteNull, David Long of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and Steve MacIntyre of Fine Choice Foods.
The Woman Entrepreneur of the Year finalists are Jennifer Woike of Farmer Ben’s Eggs, Tara Bosch of Snackish and Yvette Cuthbert of Rocky Point Ice Cream.
Meanwhile, the Social Impact Award recognizes businesses looking beyond the bottom line. This year’s finalists are Honey Bee Zen, Herbaland Naturals and Nature’s Path Organics.
And then there’s Product of the Year
One category works a little differently.
The Product of the Year Award is not decided by online voting. Ten finalists will compete in a Dragon’s Den-style event on October 27, presenting their products to a judging panel before three products advance for Gold, Silver and Bronze honours.
The lineup offers another glimpse at just how varied B.C. food innovation has become, with products including Solecito Foods Egg & Chorizo Breakfast Burrito, Barakah Eats Chicken Chapli Kabab, Big Mountain Foods Soy-Free Tofu Nuggets, Earthling Foods Protein Granola, Dabble Triple Chocolate Brownie Donuts, FitBite Cassava Chips, Maia Grounds, Nina’s Gluten-Free Cheddar & Potato Pierogi, Stoke the Fire Garlic Syrup and Forest Bean’s Matanga Espresso Roast.
From garlic syrup and protein donuts to non-alcoholic cocktails, sourdough and B.C. blueberries making their way around the world, this year’s RISE Awards offer a useful snapshot of just how diverse B.C.’s food and beverage industry has become.
Voting for the 2026 RISE Awards is open until September 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
The winners will be celebrated at the 19th annual RISE Awards on November 25, 2026, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Delta Burnaby Hotel, 4331 Dominion Street in Burnaby.
