Judging Process

The New Zealand Food Awards celebrate food and beverage products that combine meaningful innovation with excellence in execution, with thoughtful consideration of environmental sustainability, within their category. Through a rigorous and independent judging process, the Awards recognise products that demonstrate purposeful development, strong technical capability, and high-quality delivery to consumers, industry, or the wider food system.

Each award category has clearly defined criteria aligned with the New Zealand Food Awards judging pillars of Innovation, Excellence and Sustainability. Entries are assessed against these pillars alongside the expectations of the selected category. Products that demonstrate the strongest overall performance progress to finalist, category winner, and ultimately the potential of Supreme Winner status.

As part of the Awards process, all entries also undergo regulatory compliance review by an independent team to ensure they meet relevant New Zealand food standards and regulatory requirements. This review sits alongside, but separate from, the judging process.

Together, these processes ensure that products awarded the New Zealand Food Quality Awards Quality Marks (Gold, Silver and Bronze) represent a high standard of food science and technology, manufacturing capability, and product development within New Zealand’s food and beverage sector.

Judging Pillars

Entries are assessed against the three core pillars of the New Zealand Food Awards.  Together, these pillars recognise products that combine innovation, strong product execution, and responsible environmental practices.

Innovation 40%

Innovation considers the originality and development behind the product and how effectively it responds to consumer or industry needs.

Judges assess how innovation has been applied through ingredients, formulation, processing, preservation, packaging, or overall product concept. Innovation may also be demonstrated through improvements to existing products, new applications of technology, or creative approaches within the food system.

Innovation can occur at any stage of the food value chain, from primary production and processing through to manufacturing, packaging, and market delivery.

Excellence 40%

Excellence reflects the quality and execution of the final product.

Judges assess how successfully the products delivers its intended outcome, considering factors such as formulation, manufacturing execution, sensory quality, consistency, and overall product performance.

Excellence recognises products that demonstrate strong technical capability and a high standard of product development from concept through to market.

Sustainability – 20%

Sustainability considers the environmental impact of the product and its production across the product life cycle.

Judges assess how entrants manage environmental factors such as resource use, energy consumption, emissions, waste reduction, packaging, and responsible sourcing. Consideration may also be given to how environmental impacts are monitored, measured, and improved over time.

Entries should demonstrate thoughtful approach to reducing environmental impact while maintaining product quality and integrity.

Judging Panel

The New Zealand Food Awards judging panel is made up of a cross-section of New Zealand’s food and beverage sector. Each year, our judges bring a wealth of experience and relevant technical, culinary, and scientific expertise.

The judging panel covers a range of expertise and specialities led by our Head Judge:

• Cuisine Magazine (Artisan Award only)

• Technical

• Sustainability

• Business Development

• Manufacturing

• Packaging

• Food Critics

• Research and Development

• Consumers

• Primary Industries

• Nutrition

• Regulatory Compliance