Aunt Sally’s Pralines reap sweet rewards

Aunt Sally’s Pralines has been chosen as one of the most influential new products of the year by the National Confectionary Sales Association. Among the top three award recipients in the non-chocolate category, the New Orleans-based confectionary was honored for their “Lite” pralines, as well as the new “caramel pecan chewy” and “sugar and spice” varieties—the latter of which is made with McIlhenny Tabasco sauce. The praline shop was the first business in the French Market to reopen after Hurricane Katrina, and made pralines for rescue and aid workers. The NCSA praised the company for forging ahead with new ideas even while the city was still recovering. Frank Simoncioni, CEO of Aunt Sally’s, said that he was “deeply touched and humbled” by the award.