The Outstanding Food Producer Awards achieved new records this year, with 405 products from 125 producers entered for assessment across seven categories. This led to 313 medals being awarded and 14 Champions named, thanks to the service of 27 judges and 16 stewards who assessed all the products over two days in late February.
The Outstanding Food Producer Awards 2025 Supreme Champion is Matangi. Their Matangi 30-45 Day Dry Aged Sirloin Steak Cutlet showcases an innovative style of farming – practising land stewardship while being guardians of their produce from the farm gate to plate.
As well as taking out the Supreme Champion title, Matangi was Emerson’s Paddock Champion for the second year in a row. This year winning with Matangi 30-45 Day Dry Aged Sirloin Steak Cutlet with the judges’ saying; ‘Cuts like butter. Tender, juicy, melt-in-the-mouth. Unbelievable flavour. Exquisite…’
Hawkes Bay’s Matangi transformed from a traditional farm into a premium provider of beef and lamb. The journey began in 2014 when Robert Haselsteiner purchased Matangi Station, joining forces with Jamie and Nicky Gaddum, the farm manager and business manager respectively. The trio’s vision for a quality-focused boutique meat producer came to life with the sales of 28 Matangi-born-and-raised animals in 2019. Fast forward to 2024 they established Matangi Boutique Butchery and Showroom in Hastings, providing an exceptional shopping experience with butchery on display and premium cuts in a dry-aging cabinet.
Outstanding Food Producer Awards multi-year winner Auckland’s Island Gelato Co was named Leefield Station Dairy Champion for Island Gelato Co Summer Bombe Alaska Cake. The cake took the judges’ breath away for its delicious appearance and they commented: “Total WOW factor for a special occasion. Strong layers of flavour, true to description. Great surprise on the base, pop! Beautiful.”
The inaugural dish Hero Ingredient Champion is Conscious Valley Thick Cut Loin Chops. Conscious Valley Thick Cut Loin Chops was also named New Zealand Food Innovation Network, Emerging Business. This award recognises a business established over the previous 18 months that is creating outstanding produce.
Specialist horseradish producer Mandy’s picked up the title of Farro Earth Champion with Mandy’s Horseradish Sauce. According to the judging panel; “This product is exactly what it says it is. Hot, sweet, tangy and textural. Judges just loved it.” Artisan producer Mandy Steel grows horseradish on the outskirts of Christchurch, harvesting it and creating a selection of horseradish condiments.
BYD Auto New Zealand, Sustainability Champion is Hōhepa Hawkes Bay. Every product entered in the Awards provides information on sustainable business practice, which is assessed by sustainability judges Emily King and Fiona Stephenson. They noted; “Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay is an outstanding example of environmental and social sustainability. With a longstanding commitment to organic, biodynamic and regenerative farming, Hōhepa not only produces high-quality food but also provides meaningful employment for people with intellectual disabilities. Impressive sustainability initiatives range from eliminating plastic packaging and introducing solar power to installing a native nursery and restoring wetlands, demonstrating a long-term dedication to people and nature.
Chatham Islands fish processor and exporter Waitangi Seafoods was named Seafood New Zealand, Seafood Champion for their Blue Cod Fillets. Judges said, “Outstanding product, its simplicity and freshness were great. Beautiful to look at, great flake and tremendous flavour. Congratulations!”
Champion Chocolates
With Easter around the corner, its timely for Mind Your Temper Spiced Orange ‘Hot Cross Bons’ Bonbon to be Chocolate Bonbon Champion. Last year’s Supreme Champion, Mind Your Temper, is a Christchurch bonbon maker extraordinaire who only makes vegan chocolate. This bonbon won the chocolate judging panel over; “Top notch production. Go straight to the top of the class – this is a find!”
The chocolate judging panel – led by Elle Crocker – who assessed 56 chocolate products were also blown away by Lucid Chocolatier, 52% Sourdough, Brown Butter & Sea Salt Chocolate Bar. Naming it Chocolate Bean-to-Bar Champion they said; “Top marks! You couldn’t have scored a higher mark. The judges’ decision was unanimous. An outstanding bar.”
Anthea Blush Botanic Spritz was the Label & Litho Drinks Champion. Made by Kiwi winemaker Darren Webster, who spent a decade winemaking in California, this non-alcoholic pink sparkling is a blend of schisandra berry, rosemary, lemon balm and thyme. It wowed the judges who said; “We just loved the flavour, with its intense, lengthy aftertaste. Refreshing with broad appeal. Very well made.”
Free-From Champion was Blue Frog’s Breakfast Cereal – Protein Mango, Macadamia & Toasted Coconut. The Auckland B Corp certified cereal company was established by Scotty Baragwanath. The judges said: “Delicious aroma, very tasty, well balanced. Love the mango addition, which harmonises well with the coconut and macadamia. Keep making this!”
The FMCG Business New Product Champion this year is Forty Thieves’ Crunchy Peanut Butter. Founded by Shyr and Brent Godfrey in 2016, Forty Thieves has grown from making one box of nut butter a day to producing around 10,000 jars every week. Judges noted; “Very good aroma and texture and the right amount of oil. The nuts were well sized and nicely seasoned with bursts of salt. Had a delicious, creamy texture surrounding the well-toasted nuts. Yum!”
Boutique New Product Champion was The Smoke Shed, Bunneys Worcester Sauce. The judges noted; “Well-balanced flavours. Excellent product.” This recently established North Waikato business makes sauces and seasonings.
An additional two awards – chosen by popular vote – were announced. Coast Kiwis’ Favourite Food Producer is Akaroa Salmon. A popular choice with judges too, Akaroa Salmon was awarded four gold medals and a silver medal this year, after being 2024 Seafood New Zealand Seafood Champion for their salmon fillet.
The 2025 Coast Kiwis’ Favourite Farmers Market is Otago Farmers Market. A popular choice, Otago Farmers Market has received this award a record six times!
Celebrating the best of New Zealand’s food and drink producers, the Outstanding Food Producer Awards recognise excellence and innovation in food and non-alcoholic drinks. Since 2018, the Awards have become a prestigious platform for showcasing the diverse and exceptional offerings of Kiwi food and drink producers. Food lovers will easily find the country’s top produce with outstanding products entitled to wear gold, silver, and bronze medals – ensuring that the produce has been assessed and is of outstanding quality. Each year, more than 3,000,000 medal stickers are added to products across New Zealand, providing confidence for consumers to buy local.
Awards founders Kathie Bartley and Nicola McConnell made special thanks to partners whose support makes the Outstanding Food Producer Awards possible: new partners dish, NEFF and the New Zealand Food Innovation Network joining; Leefield Station; BYD Auto New Zealand, Farro, FMCG Business, Coast FM, Emerson’s, Label & Litho and Seafood New Zealand.
Outstanding Food Producer Awards 2025 Champions
Leefield Station Supreme Champion & Emerson’s Paddock Champion: Matangi, Matangi 30-45 Day Dry Aged Sirloin Steak Cutlet (Hawke’s Bay)
dish Hero Ingredient Champion & New Zealand Food Innovation Network Emerging Business Champion: Conscious Valley, Conscious Valley Thick Cut Loin Chops (Manawatu-Wanganui)
Leefield Station Dairy Champion: Island Gelato Co: Island Gelato Co Summer Bombe Alaska Cake (Auckland)
Seafood New Zealand Seafood Champion: Waitangi Seafoods, Blue Cod Fillets (Chatham Islands)
Farro Earth Champion: Mandys Horseradish, Mandys Horseradish Sauce (Canterbury)
Label & Litho Drinks Champion: Anthea Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Anthea Blush Botanic Spritz (Auckland)
Chocolate Bonbon Champion: Mind Your Temper, Mind Your Temper Spiced ‘Orange Hot Cross Bons’ Bonbon (Canterbury)
Chocolate Bean-to-Bar Champion: Lucid Chocolatier, Lucid Chocolatier – 52% Sourdough, Brown Butter & Sea Salt (Wairarapa)
Free-From Champion: Blue Frog Breakfast, Blue Frog Protein Mango, Macadamia & Toasted Coconut (Auckland)
BYD Auto New Zealand Sustainability Champion: Hōhepa Hawkes Bay (Hawke’s Bay)
FMCG Business New Product Champion: Forty Thieves, Forty Thieves Peanut Butter Crunchy (Auckland)
Boutique New Product Champion: The Smoke Shed, Bunneys Worcester Sauce (Waikato)
Coast NZ Kiwis Favourite Food Producer: Akaroa Salmon (Canterbury)
Coast Kiwis Favourite Farmers Market: Otago Farmers Market (Otago)
