NZ FOOD AWARDS UNVEIL THE ‘CREME DE LE CRÈME’

The winners of the 2017 New Zealand Food Awards, powered by Massey University, were unveiled last night at a gala dinner among 380 guests at Sky City. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the awards which celebrate creative innovations from New Zealand’s artisanal and large-scale food and beverage manufacturers, with 22 products from 22 different companies taking out the top spots.

Spring Sheep Milk Co. took out the coveted and highest honour of the Massey University Supreme Award with its Vanilla Flavoured Probiotic Sheep Milk Powder, which also won them the NZTE Export Innovation Award. Nick Hammond, Chief Operating Officer of Spring Sheep Milk Co, shared what winning the Massey University Supreme Award meant to them and their dedicated team.

“Receiving the Supreme Award is massive for us, we’re a really small company trying to do really big things,” Hammond said. “At Spring Sheep Milk Co, we’re trying to break new ground in product innovation and enter new markets, so I feel that this award is a real recognition of our whole team, and their passion for their work.”

Other companies recognised for their outstanding innovation and products include Poppy and Olive in the BITE Gourmet Award category with its delicious Chocolate Hazelnut Butter, Gathered Game taking out the Artisan Award for its Premium Wild Venison Salami and Deer Sticks, and Proper Crisps in the Dry Award category with its Kumara Chipotle and Garlic.

The revamped Food Safety Culture and Primary Sector Products Awards, sponsored by the Ministry for Primary Industries, were taken out by The Pure Food Co. and T&G Global Ltd. respectively. The James & Wells Business Innovation Award was presented to Original Foods Baking Co.

Massey University Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas said that the interest in the New Zealand Food Awards was exceptional, and the level of innovation from New Zealanders is something to be proud of.

“The finalists have set the bar high for this auspicious occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Food Awards. The entrants should be exceptionally proud of themselves and their world-class products,” she said. “As a small country, the level of innovation that we provide in terms of the food and beverage sector is incredible. We are committed to encouraging local business to continue to grow, experiment and create fantastic products, while recognising them for their efforts.”

For the third year in a row, the judging panel included food writer and cookbook author Nici Wickes, award-winning chef Geoff Scott and renowned chef and food writer Ray McVinnie, who sampled and sipped New Zealand’s finest food and beverages.

Geoff Scott said the diversity in products this year was something to get excited about.

“We thought judging last year was hard, but the range of products presented to us this year has really made it difficult! We love to see the creativity and innovation in products from all corners of New Zealand.”

“What I love is we are starting to see some of our uniquely New Zealand ingredients coming through. Kumara being used in innovative ways, horopito, locally grown saffron, that sort of thing which I think is worth celebrating,” said Wickes.

Joining the New Zealand Food Awards 2017 judging panel this year was the founder of Moa Brewing Company, Josh Scott, who is New Zealand’s first certified Cicerone (beer expert). Scott was brought on board to judge the Countdown Alcoholic Beverage Category.

Craft beer’s popularity is going through the roof, and Scott said he felt privileged to be a part of the judging panel. “While we’ve had a challenging season in terms of hop production, the craft beer culture is thriving in New Zealand,” he said. “I’d like us to reach a point where our reputation for producing top-notch real beers, is up there with our reputation for world-class wines.”

At the end of the night, there could only be one winner in the Alcoholic Beverage Category. The finalists included 12 entries from six different companies, and it was Epic Brewing Company’s Epic Hop Zombie IPA beer that took home the Countdown Alcoholic Beverage award.

Winning products are eligible to use the New Zealand Food Awards Quality Mark highlighting the superiority of the products to both consumers and industry, and helping to boost sales and distribution domestically and internationally.

For more information, please visit http://www.foodawards.co.nz/.

New Zealand Food Awards 2017 Winners: