Excellent New Zealand made preserves, cereals, cheeses, ice creams, spreads and beverages were among the many entries for the 2019 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, which were judged on Sunday 9th March at AUT in Auckland.
A large team of specialist judges, including Chefs and Food Editors, assessed almost 200 products across several categories, lead by Head Judge Lauraine Jacobs. All products were scored out of 100 marks and judges assessed product quality, flavour, aroma, texture, consistency, packaging, innovation and sustainability with outstanding produce awarded gold and silver medals. All gold medallists are considered as a champion for their category. The outstanding product as assessed by the judges will be named Supreme Champion at a cocktail party in Auckland on Tuesday 16 April 2019.
The awards celebrate New Zealanders who harvest, grow and make food and drinks and were first held in 2017. The 2019 awards included a new ‘Free From’ category.
The awards are: Outstanding NZ Food Producer Supreme Champion; Emerson’s Dairy Champion; Water Champion; Farro Earth Champion; Ara Wines Paddock Champion. Special awards are: NZ Life & Leisure Spirit of New Zealand Award; T & G Global Outstanding Sustainability; FMCG Business Outstanding New Product; Label & Litho Outstanding Packaging; Marvellous Marketing Outstanding Drink; Outstanding Free-From Product and Outstanding Startup Producer.
Feedback will be given by the judges for all entries and Marvellous Marketing will host a number of Winner Events around New Zealand between April and September 2019 that will showcase gold and silver medallists.
FMCG Business Head of Content Tamara Rubanowski joined the judging panel again this year, to help assess an exciting range of locally made beverages and products, together with Allyson Gofton and Hospitality Business Editor Kimberley Dixon on her team.