2 November 2011

Record entries in EVOO competition

Record entries were received in the 2011 New Zealand Gourmet Oil Competition with 5 Gold Medals, 18 Silver Medals and 15 Bronze Medals awarded from 55 entries.

The New Zealand Gourmet Oil Competition, now in its eighth year, was open to New Zealand produced Olive Oil including classes for Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Delicate, Medium and Intense plus classes for Walnut Oil, Hazelnut Oil, Avocado Oil and Infused Olive Oil.

Oils were judged by a panel of independent food industry experts including leading New Zealand chef Jonny Schwass, Chris Fortune Chairperson of Farmers Markets NZ, Senior CPIT Tutor of Professional Cookery Bill Bryce, Wine Judge Jane Boyle, Otahuna Lodge Executive Chef Jimmy McIntyre and Nik Mavromatis of Mediterranean Food Company.

Judges were impressed with the standard of Gold medal winning entries. “All Gold olive oils show the quality that New Zealand can produce; all are outstanding. The competition was very close in terms of quality. This seasons we found a little milder in style with great balance and a smooth full finish” commented Mavromatis.

The Best in Show Trophy was awarded to Ellsgrove Extra Virgin Olive Oil Leccino, judged as the best oil from all Gold Medal winning entries.

Ellsgrove is a family owned boutique operation situated at Maraekakaho, south west of Hastings. Taking advantage of their stony terrain and hot dry summers, Ellsgrove grow olives, nuts and saffron which they hand harvest and promptly process to create premium products with distinctive taste and character.

All medal winning oils will be on display at the Canterbury A&P Show in the Food & Wine NZ Pavilion.

The 2011 Canterbury A&P Show will be held Wednesday 9 to Friday 11 November at Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch. It is the largest A&P Show in the country attracting over 100,000 people, over 6000 livestock and feature competition entries and 500 trade exhibitors.

ENDS

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