Dallas Market Center announced this week its first annual Gourmet Gold
Awards to be hosted during the Total Home & Gift Market, Jan. 13-19, 2010. The awards will be chosen from within The Gourmet Market, the 25,000-square-foot shared showroom that features unique gourmet gifts and specialty food and
beverage lines, as well as housewares, cookware, tabletop, kitchen gadgets and wine accessories from more than 150 companies.

The Gourmet Gold Awards will highlight the best that gourmet has to offer during the Total Home & Gift Market. Award categories include: Best Chocolate, Best Candy, Best Dessert, Best Snack, Best Condiment, Best Soup or Chili, Best Extra (seasoning, salad dressing or dipping oil), Best Beverage and Most Innovative Kitchen Accessory. The Awards will also recognize new companies and new products in the Best of Gourmet Rising Stars category. Entries will be judged by a panel of gourmet enthusiasts on taste, originality and packaging. Judging will take place on Jan. 15 and winners will be announced at 6 p.m. during a Champagne Celebration in The Gourmet Market.

Entries are limited to January 2010 Gourmet Market exhibitors. Participants may enter up to three categories. Entry fee is $25 per category. Deadline for entries is Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009. For more information, contact Rosemary Goodman at rgoodman@mcmcmail.com.

Each January, Dallas Market Center hosts the Total Home & Gift Market featuring multiple markets held simultaneously so that buyers may select from the widest range of product categories: Dallas Total Home & Gift Market (Jan. 13-19), Dallas Holiday & Home Expo (Jan. 13-19), Dallas International Lighting Market (Jan. 14-18) and the FINDS Dallas Temp Show (Jan. 15-18). Dallas Market Center will offer a range of special events throughout market, including discovery tours, seminars, daily new buyer orientations, hospitality and networking parties.