2012 NZ Food Awards finalists announced

Thursday, August 30, 2012
2012 NZ Food Awards finalists announced

The finalists in the 2012 NZ Food Awards were announced at an industry event hosted at Villa Maria Estate in Auckland tonight.

From a record number of 102 entries, 43 finalists were selected across 13 categories. The supreme winner will be announced at the NZ Food Awards Gala Dinner to be held at the Langham Hotel in Auckland on Thursday October 27.

The finalists are:
ATEED Snacks and Confectionery Award
Fonterra Brands Tip Top Ltd – Seriously Good Iceblocks for Adults ¬¬– Lemon, Lime & Bitters and Classic Brewed Ginger Ale
J.H. Whittaker & Sons Ltd – Whittaker’s Mini Slabs – Peanut, Hokey Pokey
J.H. Whittaker & Sons Ltd – Whittaker’s Peanut Butter Block 250g
Kako Chocolate – Passionfruit Chocolate Hearts

ATEED Convenience & Meal Solutions Award
André’s Kitchen – Garlic Crostini
Greenshell New Zealand Ltd – Ikana Live Greenshell Mussels, Chilled Live Wholeshell Mussels
LHF Ltd – Naked Kitchen Fresh Chilled Meals range – Chilli Bean & Tortilla Ragu, Fragrant Thai Red Curry

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) – Bakery Cereals & Bread Award
I Love Pies – Gourmet Family Pies – Angus Mince and Mozzarella
Molly Whoppy Ltd – Gingerbread, Chocolate Dipped Gingers
Paneton Bakery – Ready To Use Flaky Puff Pastry

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) – Cereal & Breads Award
Delish Fine Foods Ltd – Chunky Fruit & Nut Muesli, 60% Fruit, Nut & Seed Muesli
Delish Fine Foods Ltd – Primal Breakfast Mix, 100% Fruit, Nut & Seed Breakfast Mix
Wild Wheat Specialty Breads – Kumara Sourdough

Villa Maria Other Food & Beverages Award
Archer MacRae Beverages Ltd – Ritzling 250ml 4-bottle pack
I AM SAUCE – All Purpose Sauce
PeeldNZ Ltd - T/As 1 Above – The Flight Drink
Perfect Produce Ltd for the Fresh Grower – Sweet Petite Cos, Bellaverde Sweet Stem
Broccoli
The New Zealand Herald VIVA Gourmet Award
Dollop Foods Ltd – Gourmet Fruits – Rhubarb & Raspberry with Elderflower
J. Friend & Co – New Zealand Artisan Honey – Raw Honeycomb: Medbury, Kamahi Honey: Westport
Recipe Arts Ltd – Chicken Liver Parfait – Original and Truffled

AsureQuality Food Safety Award
Greenshell NZ Ltd – Ikana Live Greenshell Mussels, Chilled Live Greenshell Mussels
Inghams Enterprises NZ Pty Ltd – Inghams Butterfly Chicken – Garlic & Herb, Lime & Chilli
Simply Squeezed for Simply Squeezed Superjuice – Balance, Survive

Packaging Design Award
Archer MacRae Beverages Ltd – Ritzling 250ml 4-bottle pack
Colestown Chocolate – Gift box with nine different flavours
Fonterra Brands NZ Ltd – Anchor Dairy Blends – Blue and Trim
Sealord Group Ltd – Simply Crafted Beer Battered Hoki Fillets – Stoke Amber flavour

KPMG Export Award
Archer MacRae Beverages Ltd – Ritzling 250ml 4-bottle pack
Aria Farm for Woolworths Select – Vegetable & Beef Stir-Fry, Beef & Lamb
J. Friend & Co – New Zealand Artisan Honey – Raw Honeycomb: Medbury, Kamahi Honey: Wesport

Rabobank Business Innovation Award
Aria Farm for Woolworths Select – Vegetable & Beef Stir-Fry, Beef & Lamb
Biofarm Products Ltd – Biofarm Organic Yoghurt in Wild Apple
J. Friend & Co – New Zealand Artisan Honey – Raw Honeycomb: Medbury, Kamahi Honey: Westport

Countdown Grocer’s Choice Award
100% Nutz Ltd – Dark Chocolate Peanut Spread
Abes Bagel Bakery – Bagel Crisps – Caramelised Onion, Balsamic Vinegar
New Zealand Drinks Ltd – Premium Mixer range – Indian Tonic Water, Dry Ginger Ale
J.H. Whittaker & Sons Ltd – Whittaker’s Mini Slabs – Peanut, Hokey Pokey
Sealord Group Ltd – Simply Crafted Beer Battered Hoki Fillets – Stoke Amber flavour

Foodbowl Added-Value Processing Technology Award
Griffins Food Ltd – Griffin’s Collisions – Mallowpuff Toffeepops, Squiggles Hokey Pokey Chocolate Chippies
PeeldNZ Ltd, T/As 1 Above – The Flight Drink
I AM SAUCE – All Purpose Sauce

Massey University Research & Development Award
Alpine Origin Merino Ltd – SILERE Alpine Origin Merino, Merino Rump and Eye of Round
Fonterra Brands Ltd – Symbio Probalance Probiotic Yoghurt – Natural, Vanilla Bean
Goodman Fielder New Zealand – Freya’s Sandwich Thins – Mixed Grain, High Fibre White
Griffins Food Ltd – Griffin’s Collisions – Mallowpuff Toffeepops, Squiggles Hokey Pokey Chocolate Chippies
Hubbard Foods Ltd – Hubbards Thank Goodness Gluten Free Cereals, Gluten Free Berry Muesli, Gluten Free Vanilla Almond Muesli

Finalists in the NZ Food Awards have the opportunity to attend business capability-building workshops run by KPMG and Rabobank, and retail and commercialisation mentoring sessions run by Countdown.

For more information on the NZ Food Awards or to purchase tickets to the Awards Gala
Dinner, go to: http://www.foodawards.co.nz

ENDS

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