2019 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards Medal Winners Announced

Foodies have a slew of top-quality products—including many which are new—to look out for when they are shopping following today’s announcement of the 2019 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards medal winners.Twenty food professionals assessed more than 180 food and drinks during judging at AUT School of Hospitality & Tourism on Saturday 9 March. Following the judges’ assessment of taste, producers were assessed for their sustainability, brand story and packaging and 129 medal winners have been chosen. Shoppers are able to identify the winning products as they will carry the gold, silver and bronze medal stickers from the 2019 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards—a guarantee of product quality.For the third year, well-known New Zealand food writer and champion for locally-grown and made food products, Lauraine Jacobs was head judge. She said it was great to see the innovative approach many food producers had taken using premium ingredients predominantly grown and harvested in New Zealand.“Dairy and cheese were strong this year, a tribute to hardworking farmers around the country who produce quality cow, sheep, goat and buffalo milk. Drinks were also strong with the category hotly contested with a range of innovative products, many of which were fermented. Products specially created for the increasing number of special dietary requirements were catered for in the new ‘Free From’ category and it was great to see such a diverse range of entries, the majority of which were of excellent quality,” Lauraine said.

“Medal winners deserve the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Award they have earned, and consumers are well advised to seek out the delicious and exciting foods such as ice-creams, drinks and juices, honey, pâtés, meats, pickles, bread and so much more which will be carrying 2019 medals.”

Flavour, aroma, texture, appearance and innovation account for 80% of the judging mark, with the rest of marks coming from brand story, packaging and sustainable business practice. Specialist sustainability judge Emily King of Spira Consulting noted that this year the sustainability detail provided with entries was higher than previous years.“Businesses are better at explaining their story and understanding what sustainability means, which reflects the trends we are seeing with food and beverage. Well done to our top entries for going above and beyond standard business practice.”The Organiser of the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, Kathie Bartley said it was wonderful to see the breadth and depth of entries which came from throughout New Zealand. Particularly pleasing was the increase in the number of entries from the South Island. She also noted the new ‘Free From’ category was popular with producers, with many producers developing new products specifically to cater to a number of specialist diets including gluten-free, paleo, dairy-free and vegan.After three years of awards, Kathie Bartley said there are plenty of Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards medal stickers on food and drink products around the country.

“I urge food lovers to look for products with our Champion, Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal stickers. These stickers are an independent endorsement of quality—a promise to food lovers that the food and drink products will be delicious!”

Kathie also thanked the very talented team of food professionals who have given their time and taste buds to judge the 2019 awards. They were Head Judge Lauraine Jacobs and specialist sustainability judge Emily Smith as well as Enzo Bettio, Kathy Paterson, Mat Mclean, Mikey Newlands, Andy Aitken, Richard Emerson, Aaron Pooch, James Thomas, Lucy Corry, Tamara Rubanowski, Allyson Gofton, Anna King Shahab, Kimberley Dixon, Amanda Thompson, Hayley McLarin, Janene Draper, Lorna Subritzsky and Michelle Jones.All Gold Medal winners are in contention for the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards Supreme Champion, Category Champion and Special Awards, which will be announced next month.Gold medal winners will attend an awards event on Tuesday 16 April to discover the 2019 Emerson’s Dairy Champion, Farro Earth Champion, Ara Wines Paddock Champion and Water Champion; one of which will be also named 2019 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Supreme Champion. The following winners will also be named: NZ Life & Leisure Spirit of New Zealand Award, Outstanding Sustainability, FMCG Business Outstanding New Product, Label & Litho Outstanding Packaging, Fresh.co.nz Outstanding Drink, Outstanding Free-From Product and Outstanding Startup Producer. The Coast People’s Choice Awards to Outstanding NZ Food Producer and Outstanding NZ Farmers’ Market will also be revealed then.

2019 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards Medal Winners

Congratulations to the all the 2019 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards medal winners. These products represent the finest as assessed by our judging panel. Look out for this promise of quality with gold, silver and bronze medal stickers when you shop.Gold Medal winning products are in the running for the category Champions, Supreme Champion and special awards, which will be announced on Tuesday 16 April 2019 at the Awards Announcement Party.

Gold Medal Winners

Dairy, Gold Medal WinnersBellefield Butter Co, Miso Cultured ButterCharlies Gelato, Strawberry GelatoLewis Road Creamery, Gold Top Organic Non-Homogenised Jersey MilkMeyer Cheese, Smoked GoudaThe Drunken Nanny, Lemony LushThe Drunken Nanny, Black TieThe Drunken Nanny, Dill LushWhitestone Cheese Company, Ferry Road HalloumiWhitestone Cheese Company, Vintage Five ForksWhitestone Cheese Company, Vintage Windsor BlueWooden Boutique Freezery, Blackcurrant Crunch Ice CreamDrink (part of the Earth category), Gold Medal WinnersChia Sisters Bottled by the Sun, Nelson Apple & Boysenberry JuiceChia Sisters Bottled by the Sun, New Zealand Feijoa & Apple JuiceEarth, Gold Medal WinnersAugustine’s of Central, Preserved Sundrop Apricots in a Riesling SyrupBarker's of Geraldine, Fruit for Cheese, Feijoa and PearChia Sisters Bottled by the Sun, New Zealand Feijoa & Apple JuiceGreytown Honey, Kamahi HoneyGreytown Honey, Manuka Honey (200+ MGO)Greytown Honey, Manuka Honey (400+ MGO)Harraways HARR-OS Oat Bites Indian SpiceKauri Kitchen, Cranberry & Walnut LoafKiwi Quinoa, QuinoaManaaki Kamokamo PickleMamia's, NZ Made Traditional Ethiopian Relish Cooking SauceNut Brothers, Super Crunch Peanut ButterPinoli, Mediterranean Pine NutsRoebuck Farm, Leaves + ShootsSweetree, Marokopa Spring HoneyThe Clareville Bakery, The Clareville CrackerThe Yummy Fruit Company, SweeTango ApplesThoroughbread, Paleo GoldThoroughbread, Paleo Fruit LoafPaddock, Gold Medal WinnersA Lady Butcher, Free Range CoppaBavariaNZ, Fennel DelightKiwi Bacon, Maple Middle BaconL'Authentique, Chicken Liver Parfait with Shiraz JellyPastrami & Rye, PastramiProvenance Meat, Provenance LambWater, Gold Medal WinnersEast Rock, Gisborne TarakihiGenevieve’s, Original Scallop Mousse

Silver Medal Winners

Dairy, Silver Medal WinnersClearwater Farm, Organic Honey YoghurtClevedon Buffalo Company, Truffled Pepper & Porcini Cheese TartinadeLewis Road Creamery, Premium Garlic & Parsley ButterPerformance Protein, Vanilla Flavoured Sheep Milk DrinkPure New Zealand Ice Cream, Kaffir Lime and Ginger Ice CreamThe Drunken Nanny, Fresh LushThe Drunken Nanny, Goat Milk KefirWhitestone Cheese Company, Mt Domet Double Cream BrieWhitestone Cheese Company, Lindis Pass BrieWhitestone Cheese Company, Probiotic CamembertWhitestone Cheese Company, Windsor BlueDrink (part of the Earth category), Silver Medal WinnersAroha, Elderflower CordialGreenleaf Organics, Lemon SwitchelHeke Homemade Herbals, Awake and AwareHappy Belly Ferments, Ginger Beer Flavoured Water KefirHakanoa Handmade Drinks, Wild Ferment Lime & Chilli Ginger BeerHill Road, Fresh Orange JuiceSomething Big is Brewing, Kombucha Kraft Ginger KombuchaEarth, Silver Medal WinnersBarker's of Geraldine, Fruit for Cheese Blackberry and BrandyBlue Frog, Raspberry and Vanilla GranolaDaily Organics, Apple Cider VinegarGreytown Honey, Native HoneyGreytown Honey, Wildflower HoneyHunt and Gather Bee Co, Rewarewa HoneyKiwi Saffron, 100% Kiwi Saffron, NZ grown saffron threadsForage and Ferment, Mexi KrautMandys Horseradish, Pure Fresh HorseradishMandys Horseradish, SauceNoShortcuts Gourmet Chutneys, Feijoa KasundiOmahu Valley Citrus, Spicy Mandarin MarmaladePam’s Finest, Saffron & Ricotta Pasta SaucePic's, Pic's Peanut Butter, Boysenberry JellyRevive Cafe, Revive Bites Peanut ChocProper Crisps, Marlborough Sea SaltPure Delish, Raspberry & Maple Nut Nograin-olaPure Delish, Pecan, Ginger & Coconut Nograin-olaPure Delish, Primal BarSomething to Crow About, Cashew Cherry Chia MuesliSonja’s Taste of Austria, Gluten-Free Vegetarian Mushroom & Brie PieThe Dam Good Food Company, Wholesome Frozen Treats Citrus ZingThe Dam Good Food Company, Wholesome Frozen Treats Double BerryThe Lucky Taco, Chipotle Chicken Fiesta KitThoroughbread, Paleo SeedWaiheke Herbs, Aioli with HerbsThe Remarkable Chocolate Co, Organic Chocolate BarkWise Boys, AioliPaddock, Silver Medal WinnersA Lady Butcher, New Zealand Wagyu BresaolaCoastal Lamb, Cap off RumpsFrank's Sausages, Veal BratwurstHomegrown Farm Fresh Meats, Speckle Park BeefKiwi Bacon, Streaky BaconL'Authentique, Pork & Fennel SausagesWhitestone Cheese Company, Shenley Station Blue and Steak Gourmet Pies

Bronze Medal Winners

Dairy, Bronze Medal WinnersBellefield Butter Co, Ghee ManukaBellefield Butter Co, Clotted CreamClevedon Buffalo Company, Herb & Garlic Cheese TartinadeClevedon Buffalo Company, Smoked Paprika Cheese TartinadeCreative Cooking, Garlic & Rosemary Superseed CrackersThe Drunken Nanny, Pasteurised Goat MilkWhitestone Cheese Company, Shenley Station BlueDrink (part of the Earth category), Bronze Medal WinnersFern Glen Farm, Performance Protein, Coffee Flavoured Sheep Milk DrinkFern Glen Farm, Performance Protein, Chocolate Flavoured Sheep Milk DrinkHakanoa Handmade Drinks, Dry Ginger BeerThe Kvas Company, Brod Green Hemp and Manuka KvasEarth, Bronze Medal WinnersAugustines of Central, Augustines Quince PasteBlue Frog, Apricot and HempBlue Frog, Apple and Maple GranolaCartel Food Company, Black Bean, Roasted Corn and Chilli Lime BurritoCeres Organics, Fritter Mix HerbaliciousFix & Fogg, Coffee and Maple Peanut ButterGenevieve’s, Saffron & Orange VinaigretteGreytown Honey, Clover HoneyGreytown Honey, Manuka Honey (100+ MGO)Kohkoz, Golden Falafel BitesKohkoz, Traditional HummusIsobel Olives, Premium Extra Virgin Olive OilMolly Woppy, Handmade Gingerbread Kids Iced Artisan CookiesMolly Woppy, Handmade Milk Choccy Chunk Artisan CookiesNanuk, Frozen on the Island, Avocado ice cream on the stickProf's, Chilli JamPam’s Finest Tomato, Almond & Olive Pasta SauceProper Crisps, Onion with Green ChivesThe Lucky Taco, Veg Calabacita Fiesta KitThe New Zealand Quinoa Co, Natural QuinoaTraditional Country Preserves, Sugar-free Plum SauceZiggy Ardor, Saffron Tawari HoneyPaddock, Bronze Medal WinnersOlliff Farm, Premium Pasture EggsZaroa NZ, 100% Pure Natural High Country Lamb Bacon RasherZaroa NZ, 100% Pure Natural High Country Lamb Breakfast Bratwurst Saussi For more information, photos and award logos contact Nicola McConnell, Marvellous Marketing, Nicola@marvellousmarketing.co.nz or 027 218 8120.