By ELLEN READ
An Auckland mother who started a children's food business just 18 months ago has come runner-up in an international food competition.
Fran Hume, of Yummy Tummies, was representing New Zealand in the home meal replacement category in the Sial Global Food Awards.
She beat 26 other countries and lost by
just two votes to the Australian entry.
The event to find an overall winner will be held at Paris in October and includes major food producers from 27 countries.
Second place still means Yummy Tummies will feature in 27 international magazines, and be highlighted at the Paris show, which Hume and her husband, Dave, hope to attend.
She said feedback from the judging panel was impressive, commenting on the beautiful packaging - designed from her own ideas.
Hume started the business as a way of ensuring her own children had healthy meals. She was working long hours in a corporate job and was sceptical about her husband's cooking abilities.
So she started cooking and freezing healthy meals to be heated up. Word spread and she left her job to set up the business.
Last year she secured nationwide distribution in selected supermarkets.
Yummy Tummies attracted considerable attention for its sensible approach to the children's market, and from there export opportunities or overseas licensing could be an option in the near future, Humesaid.
The company has also expanded to produce adult meals and is considering franchising its home delivery business in other areas of New Zealand.
Yummy Tummies
