New Zealand Food Awards finalists line-up

17th August 2022 By Staff Reporter | news@foodticker.co.nz | @foodtickernz

Sixty-three finalists will battle it out for top honours at this year’s New Zealand Food Awards.

The line-up includes well-established food and beverage manufacturers Foxton Fizz, JH Whittaker & Sons, and Goodman Fielder chasing the prestigious Product Lifetime Achievement Award. The respective products are Fizz Soda Drinks, Whittaker’s Peanut Slab Chocolate and Edmonds Baking Powder.

Finalists across the other categories include winners from previous years, including last year’s Massey University Supreme Award winner, The Wild Fermentary, and Artisan Award winners Beard Brothers. The shortlist runs the gamut from established exporters such as Mt Cook Alpine Salmon to relative newcomers such as Good Sh*t Soda.

Other new brands and products in the mix include House of Dumpling’s Marlborough King Salmon with Edamame & Sake, Augustines of Central’s Black Doris Plums in Pinot Noir, and Aotea Organics’ Kingfish Salami.

Head judge Kay McMath said it was pleasing to see an increased focus on innovation demonstrated by both small and large manufacturers in their entries.

“Perhaps reflecting a market need, we received a number of products suitable for vegan diets and many that included benefits such as probiotics. It is exciting to note the creativity that exists in food technology in New Zealand,” McMath said.

Massey University Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas said sustainability also continued to be a big focus.

“From food manufacturing processes, packaging and food waste, the finalists have shown a real commitment to one of the pillars of the Food Awards, and an important part of Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University – sustainability,” Thomas said.

“The entries continue to innovate, adapt, and mitigate the impacts on the environment, in ways we’ve not seen in previous years.”

The New Zealand Food Awards have celebrated Aotearoa New Zealand’s food and beverage manufacturers, focusing on innovation, sustainability and excellence, since 1987.

Powered by Massey University, the awards are open to small and large food and beverage firms, primary food producers, food service providers, and ingredient supply companies.

The 11 category winners and overall Massey University Supreme Award winner will be announced at a gala dinner in Palmerston North on 13 October, with the event back in person after being virtual last year.

Product Awards
Artisan Award – Sponsored by Cuisine
Aoraki – Pōhutakawa Hot Smoked Salmon
Augustines of Central – Black Doris Plums in Pinot Noir
Beard Brothers – Beef and Blue Cheese Sausage
Bellefield Butter Co – Native Bush Cultured Butter
Feliz Wholefoods – Vutter
Honey by the Sea – Cold Mānuka Smoked Honeycomb
Little Bird Organics – Good Cookie – Double Chocolate
Mixed Roots – Spice Blend – Nice Spice
Poaka Artisan Cured Meats – Salmi Whole – Chorizo
The Taipa Salt Pig – Natural Sea Salt
The Wild Fermentary – Kefir Soda – Beet & Berry
Wild Delicious Matakana – Kimchi Original

Below Zero Award – Sponsored by FoodHQ
Black Doris – Dessert Bar – Chocolate Truffle
House of Dumplings – Marlborough King Salmon with Edamame & Sake
Little Island – Tropical Nice Blocks
Tegel Take Outs – Louisiana Style Chicken Portions

Beverage Award – Sponsored by New Zealand Food Innovation Network
Boring® – Barista Grade Oat Milk
Doe Nutrition – Beauty
Finery Cocktails – 0% Grapefruit, Cucumber & Mint
Good Sh*t Soda – Ginger
The Wild Fermentary – Kefir Soda – Beet & Berry

Chilled Award – Sponsored by Americold
Aoraki – Pōtukawa Hot Smoked Salmon
Aotea Organics – Kingfish Salami
Beard Brothers – Beef and Blue Cheese Sausage
Black Origin – Wagyu Ribeye Steak BMS 6-7
Dona Lou’s – Goan Chouriço
Feliz Wholefoods – Vutter
Kavita’s Kitchen – Thai Zing Curry Paste
Timos – Vegetarian Filo Parcel – Italian Risotto
Traiteur European Butchery – Wild Venison Terrine

Health and Wellbeing Award – Sponsored by Countdown
Rebel Bakehouse – Gluten Free Sourdough & Super Seeds Wraps
Rebel Bakehouse – Low Carb Max Bagels
Wild Delicious Matakana – Kimchi Original

Novel Award – Sponsored by Kiwiso
Good Sh*t Soda – Ginger
Kiwigarden – Vanilla Coconut Yoghurt Drops
Little Island – Tropical Nice Blocks
Onetai – Milk and Mānuka Honey – Original Spread
Rescued – Lemon & Gin Cupcakes
Upcycled Grain Project – Grain Crisps – Cranberry & Coconut

Pantry Award – Sponsored by Countdown
allmite gold® – Yeast Spread
Blue Frog Breakfast – Macadamia, Almond and Manuka Honey
Kai Ora Honey – Manuka Balsamic Glaze
Kiwigarden – Vanilla Coconut Yoghurt Drops
Mixed Roots – Spice Blend – Nice Spice
Mons Flavors – Dish Delicious
No Rush – Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Cubes
Rebel Bakehouse – Gluten Free Sourdough & Super Seeds Wraps
Wise Boys – Smoky Chipotle Aioli

Primary Sector Award – Sponsored by New Zealand Food Safety
Beard Brothers – Beef and Blue Cheese Sausage
Bellefield Butter Co – Honey and Lemon Cultured Butter
Bostock Brothers – Organic Free Range Chicken
Mt Cook Alpine Salmon – First of Season – Malossol Caviar
Poaka Artisan Cured Meats – Salami Whole – Chorizo

Product Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by AsureQuality
Foxton Fizz – Fizz Soda Drinks
Goodman Fielder – Edmonds Baking Powder
Whittaker’s – Whittaker’s Peanut Slab Chocolate Bar

Business Award
Business Innovation Award – Sponsored by BNZ
Bostock Brothers
Epic Coffee
Kōrure
Rescued

Community Award
Food Hero Award – Sponsored by Palmerston North City Council
KiwiHarvest
New Zealand Food Network
The Sustainable Food Co