The Culinary Quill Awards, which were presented by the New Zealand Guild of Food Writers recently in Wellington, saw six of the country’s food writers awarded from 60 entries. Three of the winners were awarded their Quill for the third time.
Following success in 2011 and 2013 for the prized Journalism Quill, Waikato-based Denise Irvine was awarded the accolade again for her item ‘Waste Not’ in the Waikato Times (March 7 edition). Chief Judge Nicola Legat said, “We commend Denise for her lively piece in the Waikato Times on an enterprising food rescue service in her home province. Denise had the clever idea of following a surplus bag of mesclun as it passed from a local grower to the Hamilton Night Shelter and Women’s Refuge safe houses, detailing all the passionate and dedicated people involved in Kaivolution on the way. It was an excellent piece of reporting and a nicely-told and inspirational tale.
The Book Quill was awarded to Allyson Gofton for ‘Recipes from my French Kitchen’, with an additional special mention of Julie Biuso’s 270-recipe book ‘Home’.
Among the award winners was also Annabel Langbein’s TV series ‘Through the Seasons’, which took out the Broadcast Quill, repeating her 2011 and 2013 success for series 1 and 2 respectively. Legat commented: “A slick, sophisticated and extremely successful integration of cooking and aspirational lifestyle made Annabel Langbein’s TV series … the obvious winner. A seamlessly linked package of television, book, social media, website, tour and product range, the ambition and determination that drives the Annabel Langbein brand is palpable and unparalleled in this country.”
The Culinary Quill Awards run every two years and are supported by sponsors: The NZ Deer Industry, Regal Marborough King Salmon and The Food Group (Network Communication).