The fourth annual Vegan Cheese Awards results have been announced, showcasing the best on offer throughout New Zealand. The awards are open to any manufacturer who is selling vegan cheese in New Zealand.
The world of plant-based cheeses has come a long way this decade, with the local sector seeing a boom in new companies and new products.
The Supreme Winner of the Vegan Society of Aotearoa Vegan Cheese Awards was “The Greek”, a delicious feta from One Love Planet, a relative newcomer to the awards. The judges were particularly impressed with the bold savoury and well balanced flavour of this delicious vegan version of a Greek favourite. With a great lemony and garlic taste, this vegan cheese was truly supreme.
With the continued interest and growth of the vegan cheese market in New Zealand, the awards had more entries than ever, with companies from all over Aotearoa competing across 12 different categories. The judges were fortunate to be joined by expert cheese judge Franco Sessa. His 25 years of experience in international cheese judging ensured a high standard was maintained across the categories. Also judging were multi-award-winning executive chef Jasbir “Jazz” Kaur and food and beverage industry judge, Aaron Pucci. They were joined by sausage and cheese loving, vegan comedian, Tom Sainsbury.
“We were very impressed with the range of cheeses provided, proving that the world of plant-based cheese is going from strength to strength,” said media spokesperson Claire Insley. “We present these food awards to showcase the best of vegan food produce available throughout Aotearoa and this year’s Cheese Awards were exceptional.”
There were two new categories added to the awards for this year, Cheese Spreads and an Innovation category, for the most interesting, unusual ingredients used. All the entries are available in New Zealand.
The full list of winners are:
Commercial Cheddar
Winner: Zenzo ‘Cheddar’
Runner up: Angel Food ‘Cheddar’
Commercial Cheddar Flavoured
Winner: Epic ‘Garlic and Chives’
Runner up: Epic ‘Hickory Smoke Cheddar’
Artisan
Winner: One Love Planet ‘Karmasan’
Runner up: Sonntag ‘Smoked Gouda Style’
Cream Cheese Plain
Winner: Angel Food
Runner up: Nu Dairy
Cream Cheese Flavoured
Winner: One Love Planet ‘Chevie Black Pepper and Dill’
Runner up: Sonntag Zesty
Soft Cheese
Winner: Unknown ‘Mascarpone’
Runner up: Savour ‘Ash’
Flavoured Cheese
Winner: Sonntag ‘Truffle Pepper Cheese Board’
Runner up: Sonntag ‘Cumin seed’
Brie, Camembert and Blue
Winner: One Love Planet ‘Bohemian Blue’
Runner up: One Love Planet ‘To Brie or Not to Brie’
Mozzarella
Winner: Nu Dairy
Runner up: Epic
Innovation
Winner: Savour ‘Cashesan’
Runner up: One Love Planet ‘The Big Cheese’
Feta
Winner: One Love Planet ‘The Greek’
Runner up: Epic ‘Rosemary and Garlic”
Cheese Spreads
Winner: Let Them Eat Vegan ‘Cheddar Spread’
Runner up: Savour ‘Mint’
For more information on this year’s Vegan Cheese Awards check out the website at https://vegansociety.org.nz/nz-vegan-cheese-awards/
