Judges, including Bite's Geoff Scott and Ray McVinnie have yet again tasted their way through hundreds of products to select 65 finalists in the 2017 New Zealand Food Awards. The awards recognise innovation and excellence in New Zealand food and beverage production, showcasing the best of our foodindustry. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner on October 12. Bite sponsors the gourmet category, which has 9 finalists, and we'd like you to tell us who you think should be the winner. The finalists are:
Wild Fennel Co gourmet seasoning
Developed by Chef Dan Pearson, this deer seasoning has initial flavour notes of five spice and garlic, with creamy chocolate and a mild hit of chilli.
This rind cheese is washed with partly fermented merlot grape skins and seeds from Mills Reef Winery. A popular feature of the Huka Lodge cheese board.
Viavio stracchino
An Italian-style soft cheese with a creamy texture, mild, delicate flavour and a hint of sourness. Made in Nelson from pure New Zealand A2-tested cows’ milk.
Handmade in small batches with no fillers, concentrates or chemicals, each jar has approximately 200g of handpicked, locally sourced feijoas.
Hakanoa ginger, chilli lime and sesame dressing
Perfect for a crisp coleslaw, the floral heat of the ginger is offset by the acidity of the lime. Toasted sesame oil adds that hint of nuttiness, with salt and chilli for added bite.
Six Barrel Soda Co lemon honey ginger syrup
Inspired by the desire to beat the Wellington winter chill, this syrup combines organic Fijiian ginger and honey from J.Friend & Co.
Poppy & Olive chocolate hazelnut butter
Made with only the necessities, this new and improved recipe has no refined sugar, gluten, dairy or additives.
Poppy & olive crunchy almond butter
Made of 99.5 per cent almonds and a pinch of salt, carefully roasted and squished into a crunchy nut butter.
New Zealand organic freeze-dried blackcurrants rolled in premium organic white chocolate and dusted in blackcurrant powder.
Be in to win
Vote for your favourite and you’ll go in the draw to win a $250 voucher for dinner at The Sugar Club – Peter Gordon’s Sky City restaurant. The product with the most votes will become the Bite People’s Choice Award winner.
