2025 Lifetime Achievement award winner

James Stott and Jonathon King

Stonewall Kitchen
2025
Lifetime Achievement

James Stott and Jonathan King, co-founders and former presidents of Stonewall Kitchen,(Opens in a new window) have been proud members of the Specialty Food Association since 1995. Their journey into the world of food began not with formal training, but with a shared passion for creativity and homemade holiday gifts. In 1991, what started as a few jars of jam sold at a local farmers market quickly blossomed into a nationally beloved brand, now synonymous with high-quality specialty foods—from Roasted Garlic Onion Jam to Maple Chipotle Grille Sauce. 

Jonathan served as President and Creative Director, while Jim took on the role of Vice President and Lead Photographer. For both, the most rewarding part of the journey was product development: dreaming up new flavor combinations, perfecting recipes, and sharing those creations with home cooks across the country. Along the way, they found joy in hearing from customers who used Stonewall Kitchen products to create meals they felt proud of. 

Now retired, Jim and Jonathan are enjoying the “fruits” of their labor while watching Stonewall Kitchen continue to thrive on the same principles that shaped its beginnings: quality, creativity, and connection. Their legacy lives on in kitchens everywhere—and in the community of passionate makers and food lovers that welcomed them with open arms.