Innovation is rife in New Zealand food manufacturing and production, and the very best-of-the-best finalists have been announced and soon will be celebrated when the 11 category winners hold their trophies high at the 2022 New Zealand Food Awards gala dinner on October 13.
All aspects of sustainability were on display among the finalists – everything freom wild venison terrine, beef and blue cheese sausages, to native bush cultured butter.
The 63 finalists include several winners from previous years, including last year’s Massey University Supreme Award winner The Wild Fermentary and Artisan Award winners Beard Brothers.
There’s also an impressive line-up of new brands and products such as House of Dumpling’s ‘Marlborough King Salmon with Edamame & Sake’, Augustines of Central’s ‘Black Doris Plums in Pinot Noir’, and Aotea Organics’ ‘Kingfish Salami’.
Head judge Kay McMath says it was pleasing to see an increased focus on sustainability this year. Along with innovation and excellence – both small and large manufacturers were able to demonstrate these themes in their entries.
“Perhaps reflecting a market need, we received a number of products suitable for vegan diets and many that included benefits such as probiotics. All entrants are to be congratulated on meeting the judging demands of these awards. It is exciting to note the creativity that exists in food technology in New Zealand.”
Sisters Kārena and Kasey Bird, winners of NZ Masterchef in 2014, have joined the New Zealand Food Awards whānau.
“This year we joined the New Zealand Food Awards as food critic judges, giving us access to Aotearoa’s newest and most innovative food and beverage products. As first time judges, we were excited to bring a different lens to the products, as young mana Wāhine. We grew up loving all kinds of food and we are passionate about good food and good food stories. Having travelled the world experiencing many different cultures, authenticity, innovation and of course amazing taste and we are excited to showcase some amazing products being created right here in Aotearoa,” they say.
The New Zealand Food Awards have celebrated Aotearoa New Zealand’s food and beverage manufacturers, focusing on innovation, sustainability and excellence, since 1987. Powered by Massey University, the awards are open to small and large food and beverage manufacturers, primary food producers, food service providers, and ingredient supply companies.
Massey University vice-chancellor Professor Jan Thomas says it’s fantastic to see sustainability continue to be a big focus in the finalists this year.
“From food manufacturing processes, packaging and food waste, the finalists have shown a real commitment to one of the pillars of the Food Awards, and an important part of Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University – sustainability. The entries continue to innovate, adapt, and mitigate the impacts on the environment, in ways we’ve not seen in previous years.”
Finalist and winning products earn the New Zealand Food Award’s quality mark to highlight their technical capability, consumer acceptability, regulatory compliance, and food quality and safety to shoppers and industry.
Finalists are:
Artisan Award – Sponsored by Cuisine: Aoraki – Pōhutakawa Hot Smoked Salmon; Augustines of Central – Black Doris Plums in Pinot Noir; Beard Brothers – Beef and Blue Cheese Sausage; Bellefield Butter Co – Native Bush Cultured Butter; Feliz Wholefoods – Vutter; Honey by the Sea – Cold Mānuka Smoked Honeycomb; Little Bird Organics – Good Cookie – Double Chocolate; Mixed Roots – Spice Blend – Nice Spice; Poaka Artisan Cured Meats – Salmi Whole – Chorizo; The Taipa Salt Pig – Natural Sea Salt; The Wild Fermentary – Kefir Soda – Beet & Berry; Wild Delicious Matakana – Kimchi Original.
Below Zero Award – Sponsored by FoodHQ: Black Doris – Dessert Bar – Chocolate Truffle; House of Dumplings – Marlborough King Salmon with Edamame & Sake; Little Island – Tropical Nice Blocks; Tegal Take Outs – Louisiana Style Chicken Portions.
Beverage Award – Sponsored by New Zealand Food Innovation Network: Boring – Barista Grade Oat Milk; Doe Nutrition – Beauty; Finery Cocktails – 0% Grapefruit, Cucumber & Mint; Good Sh*t Soda – Ginger; The Wild Fermentary – Kefir Soda – Beet & Berry.
Chilled Award – Sponsored by Americold: Aoraki – Pōtukawa Hot Smoked Salmon; Aotea Organics – Kingfish Salami; Beard Brothers – Beef and Blue Cheese Sausage; Black Origin – Wagyu Ribeye Steak BMS 6-7; Dona Lou’s – Goan Chouriço
Feliz Wholefoods – Vutter; Kavita’s Kitchen – Thai Zing Curry Paste; Timos – Vegetarian Filo Parcel – Italian Risotto; Traiteur European Butchery – Wild Venison Terrine.
Health and Wellbeing Award – Sponsored by Countdown: Rebel Bakehouse – Gluten Free Sourdough & Super Seeds Wraps; Rebel Bakehouse – Low Carb Max Bagels Wild Delicious Matakana – Kimchi Original.
Novel Award – Sponsored by Kiwiso: Good Sh*t Soda – Ginger; Kiwigarden – Vanilla Coconut Yoghurt Drops; Little Island – Tropical Nice Blocks; Onetai – Milk and Mānuka Honey – Original Spread; Rescued – Lemon & Gin Cupcakes; Upcycled Grain Project – Grain Crisps – Cranberry & Coconut.
Pantry Award – Sponsored by Countdown: allmite gold – Yeast Spread; Blue Frog Breakfast – Macadamia, Almond and Manuka Honey; Kai Ora Honey – Manuka Balsamic Glaze; Kiwigarden – Vanilla Coconut Yoghurt Drops;
Mixed Roots – Spice Blend – Nice Spice; Mons Flavors – Dish Delicious; No Rush – Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Cubes; Rebel Bakehouse – Gluten Free Sourdough & Super Seeds Wraps; Wise Boys – Smoky Chipotle Aioli.
Primary Sector Award – Sponsored by New Zealand Food Safety: Beard Brothers – Beef and Blue Cheese Sausage; Bellefield Butter Co – Honey and Lemon Cultured Butter; Bostock Brothers – Organic Free Range Chicken; Mt Cook Alpine Salmon – First of Season – Malossol Caviar; Poaka Artisan Cured Meats – Salami Whole – Chorizo.
Product Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by AsureQuality: Foxton Fizz – Fizz Soda Drinks; Goodman Fielder – Edmonds Baking Powder; Whittaker’s – Whittaker’s Peanut Slab Chocolate Bar.
Business Innovation Award – Sponsored by BNZ: Bostock Brothers; Epic Coffee; Kōrure; Rescued.
Community Food Hero Award – Sponsored by Palmerston North City Counci: KiwiHarvest; New Zealand Food Network; The Sustainable Food Co.
