57 finalists announced in Food Producer Awards

OUTSTANDING FOOD PRODUCER AWARDS FINALISTS SELECTION
OF HORTICULTURE, AGRICULTURE AND CRAFTED PRODUCE

For Release Monday 20 March 2017

The Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards has assessed 57 producers as Finalists in the inaugural awards.

A panel of 10 expert food judges tasted more than 150 products from 82 growers, farmers and crafted producers in early March 2017 at the Fresh Factory in Auckland.

Finalists span the range of kiwi produce from primary products such as tomatoes from T & G Global, Curious Croppers and Farm Eighty4, seafood from Cloudy Bay Clams and Keewai, dairy with as buffalo milk products from Clevedon Buffalo and goats, sheep and cow cheeses, Lemongrass Ants from Christchurch producer Anteater, non-alcoholic drinks and cordials, relishes, pickles, sauces, baked goods and more.

Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards organiser Kathie Bartley says, “being named as a finalist means producers are the ‘best of the best’. Outstanding NZ Food Producer finalists have the opportunity to showcase their status by attaching finalist medals to their packaging and using the awards logo on their website and in all their marketing.”

Head Judge Lauraine Jacobs said, “It was exciting to judge these new awards and see so many innovative and interesting products. It reinforces my view that in New Zealand we have some of the finest food in the world, whether it is straight from the farm or ocean, or has been value-added to meet the demand of a world seeking sustainably produced food filled with flavour.”

The judging panel was; respected food writer and champion of New Zealand cuisine, Head Judge, Lauraine Jacobs; Kathy Paterson, food writer; Enzo Bettio, founder of Delmaine Foods and owner of Vin Alto; Anna Tait-Jamieson, NZ Life & Leisure, food editor; Lucy Corry, NZ Life & Leisure contributor and food writer; Mat McLean, head chef/owner of Palate Restaurant, Hamilton and Beef & Lamb New Zealand Platinum Ambassador; Sam Mannering, chef/co-owner of The Homestead Company, Auckland; Nick Honeyman, head chef/owner of Paris Butter, Auckland; Trudi Nelson, food writer, broadcaster and co-owner of Fresh and Emily King (Sustainable Business Network food program).

New Zealand foodies have until the end of this month (Friday 31 March) to vote for their favourite Farmers’ Market, Specialty Food Store or Supermarket, Food Region or Product or Producer. Voting is via the website https://outstandingfoodproducer.nz/ or SMS.

Outstanding NZ Food Producer Award category winners and People’s Choice winners will be announced in Auckland on Thursday 27 April and in the May/June 2017 issue of NZ Life & Leisure.

Organisers, Kathie Bartley and Nicola McConnell, thanked NZ Life & Leisure, Fresh.co.nz, T&G Global and Label and Litho for supporting the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards. The Awards will be an annual event to celebrate the hard work of the country’s food producers.

ENDS.

For more information please contact organisers; Kathie Bartley on 021 275 9908 or Kathie@marvellousmarketing.co.nz OR Nicola McConnell on 027 2188120 04 nicola@marvellousmarketing.co.nz or visit https://outstandingfoodproducer.nz

FINALISTS – OUTSTANDING NZ FOOD PRODUCER AWARDS 2017

DAIRY

Primary
Jersey Girl Organics, Jersey Girl Organic Whole Milk

Crafted
Cilantro Cheese, Cajeta
Clevedon Valley Buffalo Company, Buffalo Mozzarella
Clevedon Valley Buffalo Company, Lemon Zest Buffalo Yoghurt
Kingsmeade Artisan Cheese, Tinui Blue
The Drunken Nanny, Fresh Lush Goats Cheese with Dill
The Drunken Nanny, Black Tie Goats Cheese
Whitestone Cheese Company, Vintage Five Forks
Whitestone Cheese Company, Windsor Blue
Whitestone Cheese Company, Vintage Windsor Blue
Whitestone Cheese Company, Lindis Pass Camembert
Wooden Spoon Boutique Freezery, Movie Night

WATER

Primary
Cloudy Bay Clams, Wild Harvest New Zealand Surf Clams
Keewai New Zealand, Live Freshwater Crayfish

PADDOCK

Primary
Absolute Meats, Absolute Angus
The Organic Farm Butchery, Rack of Lamb
Waitaki Bacon & Ham, Naked Pork Ribs
Waitaki Bacon & Ham, Naked Braided Ribeye

Crafted
Matakana Bacon Company, Loin Bacon
Matakana Bacon Company, Streaky and Loin Bacon
The Prodigal Daughter, Coppa
The Prodigal Daughter, Bresaola
The Prodigal Daughter, Spicy Sicilian Sausage
Salumeria Fontana, Pork & Leek Sausage

EARTH

Primary
Farm Eighty4, Heirloom Tomatoes
Curious Croppers, Large Heirloom Medley
Curious Croppers, The Summer Medley
Curious Croppers, Spanish Green Tomatoes
Pinoli Pinenuts
Southern Belle Orchards, Sweet Palermo Capsicum
Sweet Tree Honey, Kirikiriroa Honey
The Secret Garden, Edible Flower Petals
T & G Global, Beekist® Y.E.L.O™ Tomato

Crafted
Aroha Drinks, Elderflower Sparking
Aroha Drinks, Feijoa Sparkling
Aroha Drinks, Rhubarb Sparkling
Bohemein Fresh Chocolate, Raspberry Ganache
Bohemein Fresh Chocolate, Coconut Cream Truffle
Clareville Bakery, Clareville Cracker
Clareville Bakery, Miche - Wholemeal Sourdough
Fix and Fogg, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter
Fix and Fogg, Super Crunchy Peanut Butter
Heilala Vanilla, Heilala Vanilla Extract
Heilala Vanilla, Vanilla Pod
Line's Knaekbrod Beer Crackers
Line's Knaekbrod Cumin Cracker
LOT EIGHT Cold Pressed Yuzu Olive Oil
Mandy’s Horseradish, Horseradish Sauce
OCHO Solomons 70% Cacao
Paneton Bakery, Paneton Flaky Puff Pastry
Proper Crisps, Parsnip Crisps
Quina Fina Tonic Water
Taste of the Alps, The Vineyard Pinot Noir Quince Jelly
The Kvas Company, Brod Lemon
Te Mata Figs, Fig Preserve
ViIBERi New Zealand, Viberi Ruby
Zealong, Zealong Organic Tea

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