Culinary Quills Recognise Top New Zealand Foodies

Culinary Quills Recognise Top New Zealand Foodies

Judges voted Peta Mathias as the Supreme Award winner at the New Zealand Guild of Food Writers Culinary Quill Awards last night in Auckland. The series of Taste New Zealand programmes was described by judges as “almost compulsory viewing.”

All award winners showed outstanding skill in food writing and were recognised by local and overseas judges as enriching local food culture greatly.

Mavis Airey, President of the NZ Guild of Food Writers, says the Culinary Quills provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of New Zealand food writing by acknowledging those who produce outstanding work.

“The Culinary Quills enable New Zealanders to celebrate success and recognise the enormous contribution food writers make to the development of New Zealand cuisine, and to our knowledge and attitudes towards food,” says Mavis.

The Supreme Award is a new category in the Culinary Quills biennial awards, which recognises the most outstanding entry of the fourteen category winners outlined below. (See page two for more information on the winning entries.)

Mavis Airey said the judges found it difficult selecting an overall winner and it was Peta’s passion for the craft of food communications that made the final decision.

“The panel of Supreme Award judges said Taste New Zealand has almost become compulsory viewing for anyone who enjoys food and travel. Combined with Peta’s enthusiasm and the fact that there is something for everyone in the show, it was awarded Supreme Winner for 2003.”

The award for Taste New Zealand also acknowledges the contribution of Chris Wright the producer/director of the show.

Sponsors of the awards include some of New Zealand’s top companies and show the commitment of local industry to fostering continued excellence in food communications. Sponsors are: New Zealand Pork, Fisher & Paykel, Heinz Wattie’s New Zealand, Montana Wines, Tegel Foods, NZ Tamarillo Growers Assoc., Alfreshco, Kapiti Fine Foods and the University of Canterbury.

The Culinary Quill Awards will next be held in 2005. For anyone interested in entering, most entrants must be professional members of the Guild. Please contact Mavis Airey, President if you would like more information, on mavis.airey@xtra.co.nz

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