New Zealand Food Awards 2016 unveils the top of the crop

MEDIA RELEASE: Friday September 2, 2016

New Zealand Food Awards 2016 unveils the top of the crop

The top contenders from New Zealand’s food and beverage industry have been announced, with 65 products developed by 63 companies named as finalists in the New Zealand Food Awards, in association with Massey University.

Competition stepped up a notch this year with product entries up 62 per cent on last year; a record for the long withstanding and prestigious awards.

Finalists, from niche operators to large-scale food and beverage manufacturers, will compete to take out the top spot in various categories including the popular Artisan Food Producer Award, BITE Gourmet Award and the Export Innovation Award, as well as the ultimate accolade of the Massey University Supreme Award.

Finalists include Tip Top, Barker’s of Geraldine and New Zealand’s first Bachelor star Art Green’s company CleanPaleo, with a strong representation from food and beverage producers from around the country.

Massey University Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey says the awards are a forum to showcase new initiatives and celebrate industry excellence in New Zealand food and beverage production and manufacturing.

“The New Zealand Food Awards offers support, exposure and connections to the movers and shakers of our food and beverage industry,” Mr Maharey said.

“The calibre of this year’s finalists is a true testament to the development and growth of the sector.”

Returning celebrity judges, acclaimed chef and food writer Ray McVinnie, food writer and cookbook author Nici Wickes and Auckland restaurateur and award-winning chef Geoff Scott, were overwhelmed with the quality of entries and excited by the new types of innovation on display.

Mr McVinnie says, “I had some wow moments. I’m not going to say what they are, but I definitely had some wow moments, to the point where I just wanted to eat the whole lot.”

Similarly, Mr Scott says, “There have been some real highlights and some massive, wonderful tastes. What has been really interesting this year is to see the healthy, nutritional side continue to grow even further.”

“The thing I love most about judging is seeing the different technology, the different types of innovation, the different creativity and different aspects that producers and manufacturers and growers are bringing to the food awards. The innovation and the creativity that we are seeing in New Zealand is really exciting,” said Mr Scott.

Ms Wickes says the awards, “are really finding the best of the best that is in this country,” which keeps her coming back as a judge year after year.

Winning products are eligible to use the New Zealand Food Awards “Quality Mark”, which highlights the superiority of products to both consumers and industry, and can help boost sales and distribution domestically and internationally.

The New Zealand Food Awards winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Auckland Museum, MC’d by broadcaster and food critic Jesse Mulligan, on October 13. For more information, please visitwww.foodawards.co.nz.

Owned and organised by Massey University, the New Zealand Food Awards recognise innovation and excellence by our largest export sector. The annual programme, which has been running since 1987, celebrates new initiatives in New Zealand food and beverage production, showcasing the best of New Zealand’s food industry.

The New Zealand Food Awards is made possible thanks to Massey University and the family of strategic and supporting partners - Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development, Countdown, FoodHQ, The FoodBowl, The New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology, Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, NZME, Review Publishing, XPO Exhibitions, RangeMe, Brother Design, Palmerston North City Council and Villa Maria.

New Zealand Food Awards 2016 List of Finalists:

Artisan Food Producer Award in association with Supermarket News
Blue Frog Breakfast
Cartwheel Creamery
Coconut Culture
Dr Feelgood
Hakanoa Handmade Drinks Ltd
House of Dumplings
Kiwigarden Ltd
Mr Pops Ice Blocks
Nutrient Rescue NZ Ltd
NZ Tamarillo Cooperative Ltd
Prohibition Smokehouse
Seriously Good Food Co.
Something to Crow About Ltd
Spring Sheep Milk Co.
The Clareville Bakery
The Larder Project
The Soda Press Co.
Viberi New Zealand Ltd
Who ate all the Pies? Ltd
Wooden Spoon Boutique Freezery

BITE Gourmet Award in association with the New Zealand Herald BITE Magazine
Aotea Tonics
Blue Frog Breakfast
Carrello del Gelato
Chocoyo
Genevieve's
Goulter's Vinegar Products Ltd
Hakanoa Handmade Drinks Ltd
Jenny's Kitchen
Kapiti Artisan Bakehouse Ltd
KEEWAI
Line's Knækbrød
Mamia's
Prohibition Smokehouse
Smartfoods Ltd

Beverages Award in association with FoodHQ
McCashin's Brewery
Villa Maria

Dry Goods Award
Barker's of Geraldine
Anathoth Farm
Ceres Organics
CleanPaleo
George Weston Foods (NZ) Ltd
Hand Crafted by Loaf
Lakeside Farm
NZ Bakels Ltd
Pure Delish
T & G

Chilled Foods Award
Bidvest New Zealand Limited
Life Health Foods NZ Ltd
Little Island Coconut Creamery
Coastal Spring Lamb and Coastal Lamb

Frozen Award
Dad's Pies
Fonterra Brands (TipTop)
Paneton Bakery
I Love Pies

Health and Wellness Award in association with Massey University
Life Health Foods NZ Ltd
Organic Mechanic
The Larder Project

Novel Ingredients Award in association with The FoodBowl
Heilala Vanilla
Kiwigarden Ltd
Kumara Fusion
Mash Tun Crackers
Prohibition Smokehouse
The Vegery
Viberi New Zealand Ltd

Food Safety Culture Award in association with Ministry for Primary Industries
Jack Links New Zealand Ltd
Lincoln Bakery Ltd
Open Country Dairy LTD

Primary Sector Products Award in association with Ministry for Primary Industries
Coastal Spring Lamb and Coastal Lamb
Spring Sheep Milk Co.
T & G
T & G Foods (Enzafoods NZ Ltd)

Business Innovation Award
Constellation Brands
Coastal Spring Lamb and Coastal Lamb
Dad's Pies
Heilala Vanilla
Spring Sheep Milk Co.
Venerdi

Export Innovation Award in association with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
Blue River Dairy LP
Coastal Spring Lamb and Coastal Lamb
Heilala Vanilla
Spring Sheep Milk Co.

Supreme Winner Award in association with Massey University
The winner of this award will be announced at the awards gala dinner at the Auckland Museum on October 13.

About the New Zealand Food Awards:
The New Zealand Food Awards are open to food, beverage and ingredient products, with specific categories for small manufacturers and large manufacturers. Special award categories are open for primary food producers, food service providers and ingredient supply companies. Products entered must be made in New Zealand.

Previous winners of note include Magills Butchery Ltd, Sealord Group, J. Friend & Co., Pure Delish and the Tasman Bay Food Group.

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