The SFA Hall of Fame
Honoring long-serving members of the specialty food community for their achievements and impact 
2017 Hall of Fame award winner

Al Cook

Melba Food Specialties, Inc.
2017
Hall of Fame

In 1942, Al Cook started Melba Food Specialties on Hester Street in Little Italy. Realizing that Europeans were immigrating to NYC because of WWII, he had the vision to distribute Twinings Tea and other imported foods in the US. Always innovative, Al developed the Melba label for nuts, olives, capers, Hollandaise and Bernaise sauce and soups. Al was one of the people who helped create the Fancy Food Show.