Kay McMath, the New Zealand Food Awards head judge outlining judging criteria for the NZ Food Awards.
It’s an exciting time in the culinary calendar when the finalists of the New Zealand Food Awards are announced and celebrated. After a robust and thorough judging process, four distinct themes were highlighted across this year’s finalists: functional ingredients, foods to meet specific consumer needs, foods for convivence and foods from different cultures.
There were more than 300 entries from 91 companies this year, resulting in 64 outstanding finalists from across the length and breadth of the motu. This year’s finalists include some big players from the Aotearoa New Zealand food and beverage industry, such as Lewis Road Creamery, My Food Bag, Silver Fern Farms, Waitoa free range chicken, Beak and Johnson, Pic’s peanut butter, Harraways and Goodman Fielder, as well as plenty of new players to the market showcasing their latest innovations. We also have some previous winners with new products this year, such as Poaka NZ, allmite gold, Chia Sisters and Raglan Food Co.
Head judge Kay McMath applauds this year’s entrants on the high quality of the submissions, that reflected a variety of producers across the value chain of the food and beverage industry.
“Entries ranged from new ingredients, primary products with added value, meal kits, fortified foods and beverages, convenience foods and foods for those with allergies – all designed to meet a variety of market needs.”
McMath adds how much the judging panel enjoyed having the entrants’ journey narrated to them in a way that provided intricate details of each stage of the product life cycle, including the challenges they conquered along the way.
“Judging the products with this knowledge gave us a much better background on the innovation, market appeal and sustainability of the entries.
“This year’s finalists demonstrate the successful progression of a new or different concept through to market launch and being cognisant of the need to meet a consumer/customer need using sustainable business and environmental practices.” McMath commends entrants on the innovation that was evident this year.
“Innovation is truly thriving among our producers, ensuring our consumers are constantly being presented with a fantastic range of new, updated and even recycled foods,” McMath says.
One of the most powerful observations noted this year was the need to provide consumers with high-quality, convenient products that are both nutritious and delicious. Finalists who exemplified this included My Food Bag’s ‘Mexi Chicken Protein Bowl’, Waitoa’s ‘Chicken Curry Flavour Kits’, New Ground’s ‘Boxed Coffee’, Home baker’s ‘Ready made muffin batter’, Good Chow’s ‘New Zealand Wagyu Beef Sauce’ and The Alternative Bread Company’s ‘Gluten Free Rustic White Bread Mix’.
The New Zealand Food Awards have celebrated New Zealand’s food and beverage manufacturers, focusing on innovation, excellence, and sustainability since 1987. Owned and operated by Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, the awards are open to small and large food and beverage manufacturers, primary food producers, food service providers and ingredient supply companies.
The New Zealand Food Awards also announce the finalists for the Product Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by AsureQuality. This award, which was introduced in 2019, celebrates Kiwi products that have withstood the test of time. The 2024 finalists are: Edmonds ‘Baking Powder’, Harraways ‘Rolled Oats’ and Santarium ‘Weet-Bix’.
The 10 category winners and Supreme Award winner will be announced at a gala dinner in Auckland on October 10.
Finalist and winning products earn the New Zealand Food Awards Quality Mark, to highlight their technical capability, consumer acceptability, regulatory compliance and food quality and safety to shoppers and industry following one of the most robust judging processes in the industry.
Finalists are:
Artisan Award – Sponsored by Cuisine – A Lady Butcher – Salami di Birra: IPA Salami ; Akaroa Salmon – Hot Smoked Mānuka Salmon Portion 180g; allmite gold – allmite gold 250g Three Seed; Bear Gelato – Horchata; Feliz Wholefoods Limited – Vutter ‘Avo Spreadable’; Good Chow NZ – New Zealand Wagyu Beef Sauce – Shiitake Mushroom; Good Guise – Queso Fresco; Pepler’s – Drunk Doris Preserve; Pickled – Yellow Trees; Remarkable Cream – Cream Liqueur Chocolate Sauce (16% Alcohol / 300ml); Tartan Sari – Rechard Masala Curry Paste & Marinade; Yum + Lake Hāwea Station – Hāwea Honeycomb Granola – 500g.
Below Zero Award – Sponsored by FoodHQ – Bear Gelato – Horchata; Homemade Baker – Ready made Muffin Batter – Apple Banana Carrot; Pierogi Joint – Babushka Pierogi; Silver Fern Farms – Pure 97% Beef Sliders with Briske.
Beverage Award – Sponsored by Woolworths – Chia Sisters – Prebiotic Feijoa Smoothie; Elta Ego – Raspberry + Yuzu G&T – Alcohol-Free Adaptogenic Cocktail; Golden Bay Fruit – Apple Juice; Lewis Road Creamery – Comfort Milk – Lactose Free A2 Protein Milk; Love Muscle – Protein Water – Sparkling Pineapple; Wildwood – Feeling Dandy.
Chilled Award – Sponsored by Massey University – A Lady Butcher – Salami di Birra: IPA Salami; Aoraki Salmon – BBQ & Horopito Dry Rub – Hot Smoked Salmon; Beak and Johnston Ltd – Cauliflower & Cheese Soup; Canary – Butterscotch Squeeze; Feliz Wholefoods Limited – Vutter ‘Avo Spreadable’; Good Guise – Paneer; Good Guise – Queso Fresco; Raglan Food Co – Delce de Leche Caramel Coconut Yoghurt; Silver Fern Farm – Net Carbon Zero by Nature Beef Eye Fillet Steaks; Silver Fern Farms – Net Carbon Zero by Nature Lamb Loin Fillets; Waitoa Free Range Chicken – Waitoa Flavour Kit – Thai Green Chicken Curry.
Health and Wellbeing Award – Sponsored by Palmerston North City Council – Chia Sisters – Prebiotic Feijoa Smoothie; Harraways – Fibre Rich Creamy Original Oat Sachets; My Food Bag – Mexi Chicken Protein Bowl; NaturKidz – Fruit Crispz Gold Kiwi Slices; The Alternative Bread Company – Gluten Free Rustic White Bread Mix.
Pantry Award – Sponsored by Woolworths – Chantal Organics – Organic Spicy Lentil Couscous & Veg Easy Bowl; Chantal Organics – Corn Puffs Churro Style; Good Chow – New Zealand Wagyu Beef Sauce – Shiitake Mushroom; Good Chow – New Zealand Truffle Soy Sauce; Harraways – Fibre Rich Creamy Original Oat Sachets; NaturKidz – Apple & Feijoa Sticks; Pepler’s – Drunk Doris Preserve; Pic’s Peanut Butter – Smoochy Peanut Butter
Pic’s Peanut Butter – Peanut & Chocolate Butter – made with Whittaker’s; Remarkable Cream – Cream Liqueur Chocolate Sauce (16% Alcohol / 300ml); The Lucky Taco – Verde Taco Kit; Treasured Morning – High Protein Superfood – Apple Crumble.
Primary Sector Award – Sponsored by New Zealand Food Safety – Akaroa Salmon – Hot Smoked Mānuka Salmon Portion 180g; Golden Bay Fruit – Sass Apples
Good Guise – Paneer; Waitoa Free Range Chicken – Waitoa Flavour Kit – Thai Green Chicken Curry.
Product Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by AssureQuality – Edmonds – Baking Powder; Harraways – Rolled Oats; Sanitarium – Weet-Bix.
