Pineapple Teriyaki, Sheep Chocolate Gelato, Almond Mocha, Chocolate Rice Porridge, Purple Yam & Cheese and Rescued Cherry Ripple & Christmas Cake Crunch are among almost 300 New Zealand-made ice creams, gelatos, sorbets and dairy-free frozen products being tasted at the NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards judging on Saturday.
Chief Judge Jackie Matthews, supported by a panel of 20 judges and 10 stewards, will assess 290 entries to find New Zealand’s best ice creams, gelatos, sorbets and dairy-free frozen products. They will choose 15 Category Champions and two Supreme Champions; Americold Supreme Champion and Formula Foods Supreme Boutique Champion.
The Awards, run by the NZ Ice Cream Association, have been held since 1997 and are celebrating 25 years recognising Aotearoa’s finest and sharing the results with Kiwi ice cream lovers. New Zealand Ice Cream Association President Karl Tiefenbacher believes the Awards have had a positive impact, referring to global research showing New Zealanders are huge ice cream lovers reportedly eating 25 litres per person every year, compared to Australians who average 22 litres.
Tiefenbacher says continual evolution has ensured the Awards represent the changing industry. One example of this is the addition of gelato in the Awards name – now known as the New Zealand Ice Cream & Gelato Awards. Innovation and Novelty categories have been added for the first time this year too. For judging, a novelty is a New Zealand-made hand-held ice cream, gelato or sorbet: an ice cream bar, pre-packaged cone or cup, a sandwich or any type of ice cream, gelato or ice on a stick.
The Innovation Award has been established to further encourage industry creativity. Jackie Matthews says this category will consider elements over and above the flavour combination. For example, judges may review packaging, production techniques and ingredient sourcing.
Each year the Awards have a special class to encourage flavour experimentation, this year it’s ‘Best of Chocolate’. Jackie says judges are looking forward to assessing this category which is looking strong, with 31 entries with names as enticing as; Chocolate Truffle with Chocolate Ganache Ice Cream, Blood Orange Chocolate Shatter, Chocolate Cookies and Fudge Overload – to name a few!
Judging is taking place at Onehunga High School’s new Technology Centre. All 290 entries will be assessed on Saturday 23 with those with the highest marks receiving a second assessment to find the category and supreme champions on Sunday 24 July 2022. Medal winners will be announced on Monday 22 August 2022. Category champions will be announced at the NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards Gala Dinner at Mantells on Tamaki Drive on Thursday 1 September 2022.
The ever-popular Pacific Flavours & Ingredients Kids’ Choice Award will be judged by West Harbour School pupils on Tuesday 26 July.
WHAT
New Zealand Ice Cream, Gelato and Sorbet Awards Judging
WHERE
Onehunga High School, Technology Centre, 24 Pleasant Street, Onehunga, Auckland
WHEN
9am – 1pm, Saturday 23 July 2022
WHO
20 judges tasting almost 300 ice cream, gelato, sorbet and dairy-free frozen products
NZ ICE CREAM & GELATO AWARDS 2022 TROPHIES
Supreme Champions
• Americold Supreme Champion
• Formula Foods Supreme Boutique Champion
Category Champions
• Fonterra New Zealand Standard Vanilla Ice Cream Champion
• IMCD/Givaudan Premium Vanilla Ice Cream Champion
• PACT Packaging Standard Ice Cream Champion
• New Zealand Sugar Premium Ice Cream Champion
• Best of Chocolate
• Sensient Technologies Gelato Champion
• NZ Life & Leisure Sorbet Champion
• Tetra Pak New Zealand Export Ice Cream Champion
• NZICA Low Fat/Frozen Yoghurt Champion
• Roquette Dairy-Free Champion
• The FoodBowl Open Creative Ice Cream, Gelato or Sorbet Champion
• Hawkins Watts New to Market Champion
• NZICA Innovation Champion
• GS Hall Novelty Champion
• Pacific Flavours & Ingredients Kids’ Choice
