Trade association award

Retail Confectioners International, a trade association serving the chocolate and confectionery industry in the US, recently awarded the 2015 Henry J Bornhofft Memorial Award at its 95th Annual Convention. Brothers, Bill and Jeff Birnn of Birnn Chocolates of Vermont were the honoured recipients.

Bill and Jeff are third generation candymakers. Their grandfather, Charles ‘Pop’ Birnn, began creating chocolate confections in 1915. As the business grew, Pop and his son, Edward, expanded to 11 retail stores in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Edward’s two sons, Bill and Jeff became involved in 1972 and learned as much as they could about the family business. In 1985, their focus became refining a European-style chocolate truffle.

“It is an honour to present the Henry J Bornhofft award to both Bill and Jeff Birnn of Birnn Chocolates of Vermont. They have been active contributing members of RCI since 1995. The Birnns have always supported and participated in RCI events, including serving as hosts for multiple RCI events in both Barbados and Vermont. Because of their dedication to the industry and RCI’s goals, the Board of Directors felt they were the perfect choice for this honor,” says Virginia Whetstone Maguire, Whetstone Chocolates and 2014-2015 RCI President of the Board.

“We were totally surprised, very honoured and extremely humbled by this award. We never saw it coming,” says Jeff Birnn. “It really is a privilege to be part of such a great industry. We are so grateful to our confection ‘family.’ Thank you.”

Each year, the RCI board of directors selects a supplier member of the confectionery industry to receive the Henry J Bornhofft Memorial Award at the annual convention in June. The recipient is a stand out person, who has exhibited many years of outstanding leadership, loyalty, friendship and has made numerous contributions to the confectionery industry.