Outstanding NZ Food Producer Award Finalists

2018 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Award Finalists Announced

Tuesday 10 April 2018

After judging more than 180 of the country’s finest food products, 25 New Zealand food producers have been named as Gold Medal winners in the 2018 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards.

One Supreme Champion, four category Champions and five special award winners will be named from the Gold Medal winners at the Awards on Thursday 26 April 2018 at Auckland’s Fresh Factory.

Twenty-five Gold Medals were awarded – with two producers, Clevedon Buffalo Company and The Drunken Nanny each receiving two Gold Medals. Fifty-eight Silver Medals were awarded and a further 42 products were highly commended, meaning judges recognised the work and quality of the products that just missed out on receiving a medal.

The 2018 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards received 186 products to judge from 100 New Zealand producers. They were judged for aroma, taste, quality, innovation, pack design, sustainability and brand story by a panel of specialty food retailers, chefs and food and drink experts last month. Products are judged across four categories; Earth, Paddock, Water and Dairy.

Head Judge Lauraine Jacobs said “Judging is not easy given the talent of food producers and the quantity of fine fare. Meat entries were of an even higher standard than 2017 with the growing paddock-to-plate trend evident in the number of thoughtfully created brands. Baking is still a big part of our national food psyche with some delightful entries, many catering to folk with allergies and intolerances.”

Co-organiser Kathie Bartley said it's a privilege to share the love of New Zealand food with producers and food lovers. She said they were thrilled by the 23 per cent increase in entries from last year and delighted 44 per cent of entries were awarded gold or silver medals. “This is proof of the dedication of the Kiwis who harvest, grow and make our food. The energy and enthusiasm they put into creating great produce is reflected in the strong number of awards.”

She says consumers can look out for Outstanding NZ Food Producer Gold and Silver Medals on award-winning products at Specialty retailers, food stores, producer websites and at Farmers’ Markets across the country. Foodies can still be involved in the Awards by voting for the Coast People’s Choice Outstanding Product or Coast People’s Choice Outstanding Producer or New Zealand’s Outstanding Farmers’ Market on the website https://outstandingfoodproducer.nz where the complete list of medal winners as well as the producers who were highly commended are listed.

The 2018 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards Supreme Champion, Earth Champion, Paddock Champion, Water Champion and Dairy Champion, along with the New Zealand Life & Leisure Spirit of New Zealand Award, FMCG Business Outstanding New Producer, T&G Global Outstanding Sustainability, Label & Litho Outstanding Design and Marvellous Marketing Outstanding Drink will be announced on Thursday 26 April. The award winners will be featured in the NZ Life & Leisure May/June (#79) issue on sale 30 April.

2018 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards Gold Medal Winners

Dairy
Clevedon Buffalo Company, Marinated Buffalo Cheese
Clevedon Buffalo Company, Marinated Buffalo Cheese Chilli and Lime
Cranky Goat, The Reginald
Jersey Girl Organics, A2 Organic Milk
Over the Moon, Dairy Volcano
The Drunken Nanny, Lemony Lush
The Drunken Nanny, Goat Milk Kefir
Whitestone Cheese Company, Ohau Goat's Blue
Wooden Spoon Boutique Freezery, Ca Phe Da

Earth
Forage & Ferment, Marigold & Turmeric Wild Kraut
Forty Thieves, Salted Macadamia with Maple and Vanilla
Ghiotto, Amaretti Morbidi
Jenny's Kitchen, Tamarind Chutney Hot
Line's Knækbrød, Rosemary and Hauraki Sea Salt
Paneton Bakery, Ready To Rise Croissants
Levantine Tahini-Biscuits Medjool Dates
The Clareville Bakery, Miche Sourdough
The Lucky Taco, Habanero Hot Sauce
The Whole Mix, Spiralised Zucchini Noodles
Traditional Country Preserves, Sugar Free Plum Conserve

Earth (Drink)
Hill Road, Fresh Orange Juice

Water
Genevieve's, Mahurangi Oyster Mousse

Paddock
Grass Fed Girls, Lamb
Homegrown Farm, Fresh Meats Gourmet Whole Lamb Box
Turk's Poultry, Corn-Fed Free Range Fresh Butterflied Chicken Sriracha Chilli & Lime

Silver Medal Winners

Dairy
Bellefield Cultured Butter, Chilli & Lime Flavour
Cranky Goat Ltd, Soft Goats Cheese
Cranky Goat Ltd, The Nag
Dr Feelgood, Banoffee Banana Caramel and Cream Creamy Ice Pop
Duck Island Ice Cream, Salted Caramel with Cacao Crumb
The Drunken Nanny, Fresh Lush
The Drunken Nanny, Dill Lush
Whitestone, Lindis Pass Brie
Whitestone, Lindis Pass Camembert
Wooden Spoon Boutique Freezery, Chocolate-Covered Banana

Earth
Barker's of Geraldine, Black Cherry & Vanilla with Apple Fruit Compote
Beekist®, Chef’s Selection Tomatoes
Billow Wholegrain Sourdough, "Whole-in-the head"
Blue Frog Breakfast, Kaipara Kumara Maple and Mixed Spice Cereal
Clevedon Herbs & Produce, Our Veg Box
Dr Feelgood, Pink Lemonade Ice-Block
For the Love of Tams, Tamarillo Relish
Greytown Honey, Manuka Honey 100+ MGO Honey
Greytown Honey, Kamahi Honey
Hauraki Salt, Flake Sea Salt
Harraways, Oat Singles Original Oats
I Love Baking, Munchy Choc Chip Cookies
Marlborough Garlic, Garlic Noir
Molly Woppy, Gluten Free Sticky Date Walnut & Chia Handmade Artisan Cookies
Molly Woppy, Chewy Ginger Delight Handmade Artisan Cookies
OOB Organic, Organic Smoothie Mix
Pinoli Premium Pine Nuts
Port Larder, Indian Date Chutney
Proper Crisps, Garden Medley
Purewei, Dessert Jar
Taylor Farms, Sesame Chili Stir Fry Kit
The Clareville Bakery, Clareville Cracker (Lavash Style Flatbread)
The Clareville Bakery, Ginger Snap Cookies
The Clareville Bakery, Honey & Cinnamon Cookies
The Lucky Taco, Chipotle Hot Sauce
The Whole Mix, Spiralised Butternut Noodles
The Whole Mix, Spiralised Noodle Medley
Waiheke Herbs, Herb Spread
YUM, Creamy Apple Chai Porridge
Ziggy Ardor Saffron Tawiri Honey

Earth (Drink)
Aroha Drinks, Quince and Lime Sparkling
Barker's of Geraldine, Brewed Ginger Beer
Kiwi Crush, Classic

Paddock
A Lady Butcher, NZ Wagyu Bresaola
Agreeable Nature, Pastured Free Range Eggs
Bostock's Organic Free Range Chicken
Dad's Pies, Craft Range Beef Bourguignon with Mustard Cheddar
Genevieve's, Truffled Duck Liver Parfait
Genevieve's, Original Chicken Liver Parfait
Lake Farm, Scotch Fillet
Pastrami & Rye, Pastrami
Patangata Station, Angus Chef Rib
Patangata Station, Suffolk Texel Premium Lamb Rack
Turk's Poultry, Corn Fed Free Range Fresh Whole Chicken
Turk's Poultry, Corn-Fed Free Range Fresh Butterflied Chicken Filipino Pinoy BBQ
Turk's Poultry, Corn-Fed Free Range Fresh Chicken Nibbles
Waipawa Butchery, Lamb Merguez Chipolata
Waipawa Butchery Famous Beef Sausages

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