The New Zealand Food Awards are a celebration of Aotearoa’s finest local food and beverage producers, showcasing the best of New Zealand’s food and beverage innovation, excellence and sustainability.
Plant-based mince, seaweed salt, and Sauvignon Blanc Gin are just some of the new Kiwi products announced as finalists in the 2021 New Zealand Food Awards powered by Massey University.
There were more than 170 entries this year, and from those a team of judges whittled down the best of the best, ending up with 66 finalists from 45 companies from across the country.
Head Judge Kay McMath says judges focused on finding innovative, high quality and sustainable products.
“The team of judges are happy to present an exciting array of finalists for this year’s New Zealand Food Awards. All of these finalists had focused on meeting consumer demands, be that for nutrition, convenience, variety or excellence using technology, creativity and sound processes. Congratulations to all these finalists on a superb achievement!”
Finalists include several winners from previous years, but also an impressive line-up of new brands and products.
Renowned chef of Homeland NZ, Peter Gordon joined the judging panel this year. He said: “As a first-time judge, I was excited to be a part of a broad panel of expertise. The judging is about so much more than one person’s point of view and I learned a lot from the experience. I was really encouraged to see so much innovation in the health and wellbeing space – products that cater for different dietary requirements. Consumers can be excited to see a broad spectrum of finalists, there’s some really exciting surprises in there.”
Lifetime Achievement Award
The New Zealand Food Awards also announced the finalists for the Product Lifetime Achievement Award – sponsored by AsureQuality. This award was introduced in 2019 and celebrates Kiwi products that have withstood the test of time. The 2021 finalists are: Wattie’s ‘Tomato Sauce’, Whittaker’s ‘Peanut Slab’ and Vogel’s ‘Original Mixed Grain Bread’.
The New Zealand Food Awards have celebrated 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 manufacturers, primary food producers, food service providers and ingredient supply companies.
Finalist and winning products earn the New Zealand Food Award’s quality mark to highlight their technical capability, consumer acceptability, regulatory compliance and food quality and safety to shoppers and industry.
The awards programme is made possible with the support of the NZ Food Awards Partner Network:
Massey University, Palmerston North City Council, New Zealand Food Safety, Countdown, Cuisine, AsureQuality, KiwiSo, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, BNZ, Villa Maria, FMCG Business, FoodHQ, The Food Innovation Network, XPO and The New Zealand Institute of Food Science & Technology Ltd.
PRODUCT AWARDS FINALISTS
Artisan Award – Sponsored by Cuisine
Bellefield Butter Co. – Brown ‘Butter’ Ghee
Beard Brothers – Pork and Cress
Beard Brothers – Pork and Palusami
Beard Brothers – Pork and Puha
Chatham Island Food Co. ¬– Chatham Blue™
Manaaki – Piripiri Plum Chutney
Moreish Organic Butchery – Pure Organic Beef Burger Patties
NewFish – Blackfoot Pāua Saucisson 1kg
Pacific Harvest – Power of Three Seaweed Flakes
The Gardener – Beetroot & Date Chutney
The Hemp Butter Co – Maple Almond Hemp Butter
The Wild Fermentary – Smoky Kāpeti
Well & Truly Artisan Pantry – Make at Home Vitality Bars
Zaroa NZ – Pohutukawa Smoked Venison Savernaccio
Below Zero Award – Sponsored by FoodHQ
Juicies – Watermelon Juicies
Kim’s Kitchen – Gluten Free Steamed Buns: BBQ Pork
Let’s Eat – Plant-Based Golden Nuggets
Little ‘Lato – Roasted Hazelnut (Dairy-Free)
Marlie Bites – Marlie Bites – Mixed Flavours
Beverage Award – Sponsored by Food Innovation Network
Borage and Bee Meadery – Semi-Sweet Session Mead
Chia Sisters – Immunity Hot Tonic
Dancing Sands – Sauvignon Blanc Gin
Froth Technologies – Live Liquid Yeast, FT02 – Vape (Hazy Ale)
Greenroots Juicery – Sun Rising
Soochi – Glow Berry Skin and Gut
Studio Red Wellness – Organic Infusion – Peppermint & Kawakawa
Chilled Award – Sponsored by Massey University
Food Nation – Magic Mince – Mexican, Corn & Red Pepper
Food Nation – Magic Mince – Mushroom & Hemp
Kc Kombucha – Kc3 Springtime Kombucha
The Wild Fermentary – Smoky Kāpeti
Zaroa NZ – Pohutukawa Smoked Venison Savernaccio
Health and Wellbeing Award – Sponsored by Countdown
Food Nation – Magic Mince – Mexican, Corn & Red Pepper
Food Nation – Magic Mince – Mushroom & Hemp
Kim’s Kitchen – Gluten Free Steamed Buns: BBQ Pork
Wholesome You – Multiseed Crackers
Novel Award – Sponsored by KiwiSo
Dancing Sands – Sauvignon Blanc Gin
Grater Goods – Plant Pastrami
NewFish – Blackfoot Pāua Saucisson 1kg
Spring Sheep Milk Co. – Gentle Sheep Toddler Milk Drink Stage 3
Upcycled Grain Project – Upcycled Grain Crackers – Parmesan
Vince – Vegetable Mince – Mexican Style
Pantry Award – Sponsored by Countdown
Fix & Fogg – Protein Peanut Butter
FreeFOD – Low FODMAP Garlic Replacer
OSM® – The Original Craft™ Bar
Pacific Harvest – Seaweed Salt
Pic’s Peanut Butter – Peanut & Chocolate Butter
Vince – Vegetable Mince – Mexican Style
Primary Sector Award – Sponsored by New Zealand Food Safety
Chatham Island Food Co. ¬– Chatham Blue™
Hemp Connect – Hemp Hearts
NewFish – Blackfoot Pāua Saucisson 1kg
Product Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by AsureQuality
Wattie’s – Tomato Sauce
Whittaker’s – Peanut Slab
Vogel’s – Original Mixed Grain Bread
BUSINESS AWARDS
Business Innovation Award – Sponsored by BNZ
Barefoot Eatery
Froth Technologies
Little ‘Lato
Pacific Harvest
Spring Sheep Milk Co.
Food Safety Culture Award – Sponsored by New Zealand Food Safety
Beard Brothers
Chatham Islands Food Co.
Little ‘Lato
COMMUNITY AWARDS
Food Hero Award – Sponsored by Palmerston North City Council
Kōrure
New Zealand Food Network
Oakley’s Premium Fresh Vegetables Ltd
Perfectly Imperfect
The Sustainable Food Co.
KEY DATES
18 August – Finalists announced and tickets to the gala dinner go on sale
18-31 August – People’s Choice voting opens
14 October – Gala dinner and winners announced, Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North, 7pm-11pm
Tickets on sale now at foodawards.co.nz
Single ticket: $200 + GST
Table of ten: $1950 + GST
For more information, visit www.foodawards.co.nz
Facebook: @NewZealandFoodAwards
Twitter: @NZFoodAwards
Instagram: @NewZealandFoodAwards
