One Supreme Champion, four category Champions and five special award winners will be named from the Gold Medal winners at the Awards on Thursday 26 April 2018 at Auckland’s Fresh Factory and in the May/June issue (#79) of NZ Life & Leisure.

Twenty-five Gold Medals were awarded – with two producers, Clevedon Buffalo Company and The Drunken Nanny each receiving two Gold Medals.

READ MORE: The mischievous goats behind The Drunken Nanny’s award-winning cheese

Fifty-eight Silver Medals were awarded and a further 42 products were highly commended, meaning judges recognised the work and quality of the products that just missed out on receiving a medal.

The 2018 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards received 186 products to judge from 100 New Zealand producers. They were judged for aroma, taste, quality, innovation, pack design, sustainability and brand story by a panel of specialty food retailers, chefs and food and drink experts last month. Products are judged across four categories; Earth, Paddock, Water and Dairy.

Head Judge Lauraine Jacobs said “Judging is not easy given the talent of food producers and the quantity of fine fare. Meat entries were of an even higher standard than 2017 with the growing paddock-to-plate trend evident in the number of thoughtfully created brands. Baking is still a big part of our national food psyche with some delightful entries, many catering to folk with allergies and intolerances.”

Co-organiser Kathie Bartley said it’s a privilege to share the love of New Zealand food with producers and food lovers. She said they were thrilled by the 23 per cent increase in entries from last year and delighted 44 per cent of entries were awarded gold or silver medals. “This is proof of the dedication of the Kiwis who harvest, grow and make our food. The energy and enthusiasm they put into creating great produce is reflected in the strong number of awards.”

She says consumers can look out for Outstanding NZ Food Producer Gold and Silver Medals on award-winning products at Specialty retailers, food stores, producer websites and at Farmers’ Markets across the country. Foodies can still be involved in the Awards by voting for the Coast People’s Choice Outstanding Product or Coast People’s Choice Outstanding Producer or New Zealand’s Outstanding Farmers’ Market on the website outstandingfoodproducer.nz where the complete list of medal winners as well as the producers who were highly commended are listed.

The 2018 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards Supreme Champion, Earth Champion, Paddock Champion, Water Champion and Dairy Champion, along with the NZ Life & Leisure Spirit of New Zealand Award, FMCG Business Outstanding New Producer, T&G Global Outstanding Sustainability, Label & Litho Outstanding Design and Marvellous Marketing Outstanding Drink will be announced on Thursday 26 April. The award winners will be featured in the NZ Life & Leisure May/June (#79) issue on sale 30 April.

 

2018 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards Gold Medal Winners

DAIRY

Clevedon Buffalo Company, Marinated Buffalo Cheese

Clevedon Buffalo Company, Marinated Buffalo Cheese Chilli and Lime

Cranky Goat, The Reginald

Jersey Girl Organics, A2 Organic Milk

Over the Moon, Dairy Volcano

The Drunken Nanny, Lemony Lush

The Drunken Nanny, Goat Milk Kefir

Whitestone Cheese Company, Ohau Goat’s Blue

Wooden Spoon Boutique Freezery, Ca Phe Da

 

EARTH

Forage & Ferment, Marigold & Turmeric Wild Kraut

Forty Thieves, Salted Macadamia with Maple and Vanilla

Ghiotto, Amaretti Morbidi

Jenny’s Kitchen, Tamarind Chutney Hot

Line’s Knækbrød, Rosemary and Hauraki Sea Salt

Paneton Bakery, Ready To Rise Croissants

Levantine Tahini-Biscuits Medjool Dates

The Clareville Bakery, Miche Sourdough

The Lucky Taco, Habanero Hot Sauce

The Whole Mix, Spiralised Zucchini Noodles

Traditional Country Preserves, Sugar Free Plum Conserve

 

EARTH (DRINK)

Hill Road, Fresh Orange Juice

 

WATER

Genevieve’s, Mahurangi Oyster Mousse

 

PADDOCK

Grass Fed Girls, Lamb

Homegrown Farm, Fresh Meats Gourmet Whole Lamb Box

Turk’s Poultry, Corn-Fed Free Range Fresh Butterflied Chicken Sriracha Chilli & Lime

Silver Medal Winners

DAIRY

Bellefield Cultured Butter, Chilli & Lime Flavour

Cranky Goat Ltd, Soft Goats Cheese

Cranky Goat Ltd, The Nag

Dr Feelgood, Banoffee Banana Caramel and Cream Creamy Ice Pop

Duck Island Ice Cream, Salted Caramel with Cacao Crumb

The Drunken Nanny, Fresh Lush

The Drunken Nanny, Dill Lush

Whitestone, Lindis Pass Brie

Whitestone, Lindis Pass Camembert

Wooden Spoon Boutique Freezery, Chocolate-Covered Banana

 

EARTH

Barker’s of Geraldine, Black Cherry & Vanilla with Apple Fruit Compote

Beekist®, Chef’s Selection Tomatoes

Billow Wholegrain Sourdough, “Whole-in-the head”

Blue Frog Breakfast, Kaipara Kumara Maple and Mixed Spice Cereal

Clevedon Herbs & Produce, Our Veg Box

Dr Feelgood, Pink Lemonade Ice-Block

For the Love of Tams, Tamarillo Relish

Greytown Honey, Manuka Honey 100+ MGO Honey

Greytown Honey, Kamahi Honey

Hauraki Salt, Flake Sea Salt

Harraways, Oat Singles Original Oats

I Love Baking, Munchy Choc Chip Cookies

Marlborough Garlic, Garlic Noir

Molly Woppy, Gluten Free Sticky Date Walnut & Chia Handmade Artisan Cookies

Molly Woppy, Chewy Ginger Delight Handmade Artisan Cookies

OOB Organic, Organic Smoothie Mix

Pinoli Premium Pine Nuts

Port Larder, Indian Date Chutney

Proper Crisps, Garden Medley

Purewei, Dessert Jar

Taylor Farms, Sesame Chili Stir Fry Kit

The Clareville Bakery, Clareville Cracker (Lavash Style Flatbread)

The Clareville Bakery, Ginger Snap Cookies

The Clareville Bakery, Honey & Cinnamon Cookies

The Lucky Taco, Chipotle Hot Sauce

The Whole Mix, Spiralised Butternut Noodles

The Whole Mix, Spiralised Noodle Medley

Waiheke Herbs, Herb Spread

YUM, Creamy Apple Chai Porridge

Ziggy Ardor Saffron Tawiri Honey

 

EARTH (DRINK)

 

Aroha Drinks, Quince and Lime Sparkling

Barker’s of Geraldine, Brewed Ginger Beer

Kiwi Crush, Classic

 

PADDOCK

A Lady Butcher, NZ Wagyu Bresaola

Agreeable Nature, Pastured Free Range Eggs

Bostock’s Organic Free Range Chicken

Dad’s Pies, Craft Range Beef Bourguignon with Mustard Cheddar

Genevieve’s, Truffled Duck Liver Parfait

Genevieve’s, Original Chicken Liver Parfait

Lake Farm, Scotch Fillet

Pastrami & Rye, Pastrami

Patangata Station, Angus Chef Rib

Patangata Station, Suffolk Texel Premium Lamb Rack

Turk’s Poultry, Corn Fed Free Range Fresh Whole Chicken

Turk’s Poultry, Corn-Fed Free Range Fresh Butterflied Chicken Filipino Pinoy BBQ

Turk’s Poultry, Corn-Fed Free Range Fresh Chicken Nibbles

Waipawa Butchery, Lamb Merguez Chipolata

Waipawa Butchery Famous Beef Sausages

For the full list of medal and highly-commended products visit  outstandingfoodproducer.nz/medals-2018

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