Tutor’s world champion hot sauce nominated for another award

Tutor’s world champion hot sauce nominated for another award

Following on from its success at the 2015 World Hot Sauce Awards, Whitireia tutor Nick Huffman’s chilli pepper blend creation, Huffman’s Hot Sauce, has been nominated for the NZ Herald Bite Gourmet Award at this year’s New Zealand Food Awards.

Huffman created the sauce, described as a “robust blend of sun-ripened sweet peppers, distilled white vinegar, sea salt, red chillies and smoked Spanish paprika,” when he was head chef at Matterhorn Restaurant in Wellington.

“I was almost overcome thinking about how much has changed since then,” he said recently. “But at the same time, nothing has changed, we’ve stayed true, the sauce is exactly the same, and it's still all about the sauce."

Huffman, who now teaches on the Whitireia professional cookery programme across the Porirua, Wellington and Kāpiti campuses, noted that the same recipe that was a hit with his staff at the Matterhorn is just as popular today with his students.

The Food Awards recognise the top performers in New Zealand’s food industry. Forty-seven products developed by 39 primary food producers, food service providers and ingredient supply companies have been named as national finalists. Other finalists include the likes of Fonterra, Whittaker’s and Invivo Wines.

The judges said they were impressed with the level of innovation in this year’s entries. Food writer Nici Wickes and Auckland restaurateur Geoff Scott said the growth and quality of entries is a testament to New Zealand’s thriving food industry.

“Both the quality and quantity of the entries this year is reflective of the growth and innovation we are seeing locally,” said Scott.

Wickes added that the awards set the benchmark for professionalism and integrity in regards to food innovation in New Zealand.

“Winning an award and gaining positive recognition can be a huge advantage for a food or beverage producer,” said Wickes.

ENDS

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