The 2012 winners of the New Zealand Food Awards were announced at a dinner held at the Langham Hotel in Auckland on 27 September. The awards celebrate the innovation and creativity of New Zealand food products and businesses.
From a record number of 102 entries, 43 finalists from all over New Zealand were selected across 13 categories by a panel of judges, including Ray McVinnie, Geoff Scott and Nici Wickes.
The Massey University Supreme Award went to Auckland-based Paneton Bakery for their Ready to Use Flaky Puff Pastry. They also took out the Ministry of Primary Industries Bakery Award.
Two other companies won honours in two awards categories – South Island artisan honey maker J.Friend & Co won the New Zealand Herald Viva Gourmet Award and the KPMG Export Award, while fledgling food enterprise I AM SAUCE won the Villa Maria Other Food and Beverage Award and the Foodbowl Value-Added Processing Technology Award.
Massey University Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey says the NZ Food Awards are the perfect opportunity to showcase New Zealand’s largest export sector, and recognise wider aspects of the businesses entering their products.
“The awards put the spotlight on so many aspects of the food industry – from food safety and product design to export capability and business innovation, as well as taste and presentation. It’s an area where New Zealand leads the world developing innovative products and best practice and Massey University is right at the forefront with these food and beverage producers,” he says.
The 2012 NZ Food Awards winners are:
Massey University Supreme Award
Paneton Bakery – Ready to Use Flaky Puff Pastry
Ministry for Primary Industries Bakery Award
Paneton Bakery – Ready To Use Flaky Puff Pastry
Ministry for Primary Industries Cereal & Breads Award
Wild Wheat Specialty Breads – Kumara Sourdough
ATEED Snacks and Confectionery Award
Fonterra Brands Tip Top Ltd – The Ice Bar Co
ATEED Convenience & Meal Solutions Award
LHF Ltd – Naked Kitchen Fresh Chilled Meals range
Villa Maria Other Food & Beverages Award
I AM SAUCE – All Purpose Sauce
The New Zealand Herald VIVA Gourmet Award
J. Friend & Co – New Zealand Artisan Honey
Countdown Grocer’s Choice Award
J.H. Whittaker & Sons Ltd – Whittaker’s Mini Slabs
AsureQuality Food Safety Award
Greenshell NZ Ltd – Ikana Live Greenshell Mussels
Packaging Design Award
Archer MacRae Beverages Ltd – Ritzling
Foodbowl Value-Added Processing Technology Award
I AM SAUCE – All Purpose Sauce
KPMG Export Award
J. Friend & Co.
Rabobank Business Innovation Award
Aria Farm for Woolworths Select
Massey University Research & Development Award
Fonterra Brands Ltd – Symbio Probalance Probiotic Yoghurt
All finalists and winners will have the opportunity to attend business capability-building workshops run by KPMG and Rabobank, and retail and commercialisation sessions run by Countdown.
For further information:
Visit: www.foodawards.co.nz
