Winners
Supreme Award Winner
The Sojourner, Sichuan Pickled Central Otago Cherries
Taste of the Alps
The New Zealand Food Awards judges were captivated by the originality of this product and the exceptional quality of its execution. By transforming Central Otago cherries into a savoury product, the entrant has challenged expectations and created something genuinely distinctive within the New Zealand food landscape. Judges consistently praised the balance of sweet, sour, spice and gentle heat, along with the plump, firm texture and outstanding visual appeal of the fruit. Beyond the eating experience, the product stood out for demonstrating how innovation can create new value and market opportunities from locally grown produce, extending the potential of a premium New Zealand ingredient beyond its traditional applications. Its combination of provenance, sustainability, commercial relevance and culinary versatility showcased a holistic approach to innovation that resonated strongly with the judging panel. This entry exemplified the creativity, craftsmanship and forward-thinking mindset that the New Zealand Food Awards seeks to celebrate.
Gold Winners
Ikura Caviar
Mt Cook Alpine Salmon
Freeze Dried Fingerlime Powder
Nine Trees Ltd
Weet-Bix
Sanitarium
Yuzu Juice Soda
Nine Trees Ltd
The Sojourner, Sichuan Pickled Central Otago Cherries
Taste of the Alps
Auda Finan
Savour Vegan Creamery
onion
Savour Vegan Creamery
Caught-to-Order Wild Crayfish
Tora Collective
Emma Lockie
Much Moore Ice Cream Company Ltd
Jalapeño & Green Pepper Kraut
Wildly delicious
vegan white chocolate
be happy chocolate
Silver Recipients
The Sojourner, Sichuan Pickled Central Otago Cherries
Taste of the Alps
Freeze Dried Yuzu Powder
Nine Trees Ltd
Keto Piña Colada
REMARKABLE CREAM
Sarsarap (Fermented Mushroom Gravy)
UmamiBee
butta
Savour Vegan Creamery
Probiotic Yoghurt Natural
Re
Overnight Oats - Blueberry & Vanilla
FULLER Protein Overnight Oats
Keto Irish Cream
REMARKABLE CREAM
Bronze Recipients
Probiotic Yoghurt Natural
Re
Wopples - Six Seed
Wopples
Lullaa® IGNITE - Dairy Functional Milk
LULLAA®
Oaty Butter Cinnamon
ButterLuxe Co
Easter Nog
REMARKABLE CREAM
Bone Broth
Waitoa Free Range Chicken
Hunters Venison Boerewors
Beard Brothers
Sarsarap (Fermented Mushroom Gravy)
UmamiBee
Finalists
Artisan Award - Sponsored by Cuisine Magazine
Re – Probiotic Yoghurt Natural
Taste of the Alps – The Sojourner, Sichuan Pickled Central Otago Cherries
The Wild Fermentary – Tropical Kimchi
Tora Collective – Caught-to-Order Wild Crayfish
Wildly Delicious – Jalapeño & Green Pepper Kraut
be happy chocolate – vegan white chocolate
Fukurou Patisserie – French Vanilla Mille Crepe
Ka kā wā Confectionery – 70% Celtic + NZ sea salt with kelp
Mt Cook Alpine Salmon – Ikura Caviar
Pure Juice – Vitamin C Recharge
Beverage Award
NOONCHA – Strawberry Matcha with Oat Milk
REMARKABLE CREAM – Christmas Eggnog
REMARKABLE CREAM – Easter Nog
REMARKABLE CREAM – Keto Piña Colada
Chia Sisters – Evening Tonic
Giesen 0% – Rosé Spritz
LULLAA® – Lullaa® IGNITE - Dairy Functional Milk
Nine Trees Ltd – Yuzu Juice Soda
Chilled/Frozen (Coolchain) Award - Sponsored by Woolworths
Savour Vegan Creamery – butta
Savour Vegan Creamery – cashbert
Savour Vegan Creamery – onion
The Wild Fermentary – Tropical Kimchi
Tora Collective – Caught-to-Order Wild Crayfish
Woody’s – Lamb Kleftiko
Beard Brothers – Hunters Venison Boerewors
FEIJOA SORBET – Feijoa Sorbet
Fresh To Go – Morning Glory Protein Overnight Oats - Chocolate Peanut Butter
Mt Cook Alpine Salmon – Ikura Caviar
Much Moore – Awesome Marshmallow Easter Egg Ice Cream
plan*t – plan*t Hemp Chick*n
Re – Probiotic Yoghurt Natural
Emerging Talent: Food Science and Technology
Paige Hansen – Leaft Foods Limited
Emma Lockie – Much Moore Ice Cream Company Ltd
Libby Truebridge – Culley’s Ltd
Health & Wellbeing Award
Wildly Delicious – Jalapeño & Green Pepper Kraut
Wopples – Wopples Six Seed
FULLER Protein Overnight Oats – Overnight Oats – Blueberry & Vanilla
Mushroom Mate Co – Mushroom XO Spread - Mildly Spicy
Savour Vegan Creamery – sour cream
Manufacturing & Foodservice Ingredient Award
Nine Trees Ltd – Freeze Dried Yuzu Powder
Nine Trees Ltd – Freeze Dried Fingerlime Powder
Pantry Award - Sponsored by Woolworths
Pic's Peanut Butter – Pic's Chilli Peanut Butter
Pic's Peanut Butter – Pic’s Honey Peanut Butter
Rebel Bakehouse – High Protein Low Sugar Wrap
Taste of the Alps – The Sojourner, Sichuan Pickled Central Otago Cherries
UmamiBee – Sarsarap (Fermented Mushroom Gravy)
WDOM – Whole Milk Powder
Aureate Artisan Foods – Mulled Wine Syrup (Red)
Blue Petal – Possum Seasoning
ButterLuxe Co – Oaty Butter Cinnamon
Culley's – Spicy Southern Style Gravy
Fix & Fogg – Dark Roast Peanut Butter
Fix & Fogg – Pistachio Spread
Mushroom House – Apple Cider Crispy Oyster Mushroom Chips
Primary Sector Award - Sponsored by New Zealand Food Safety
Tora Collective – Caught-to-Order Wild Crayfish
Waitoa Free Range Chicken – Bone Broth
FEIJOA SORBET – Feijoa Sorbet
Mt Cook Alpine Salmon – Ikura Caviar
Re – Probiotic Yoghurt Natural
Product Lifetime Achievement Award
Tip Top – Jelly Tip
Galaxy – Blue Vein
Sanitarium – Weet-Bix
Technical Innovation Award
Otis Oat Milk – The Organic One
REMARKABLE CREAM – Keto Irish Cream
UmamiBee – Sarsarap (Fermented Mushroom Gravy)
be happy chocolate – vegan white chocolate
ButterLuxe Co – Oaty Butter Cinnamon
ButterLuxe Co – Oaty Butter Original
