Fig jam a hit with foodie judges

Havelock North's Te Mata Figs' Just Fig Jam is a winner in the prestigious 2012 Cuisine Artisan Awards, announced this week.

Last January, Helen Walker began experimenting with fig jam recipes - and after 35 batches, she declared herself finally happy with the result.

The judging panel were impressed with the fruits of her labours. "Smelling it is like you've just opened a ripe fig," one judge said.

With none of the grittiness that some fig jams have, Te Mata Just Figs Jam was described as a soft, jammy conserve with true flavour.

Cuisine editor Sarah Nicholson said the artisan industry continues to evolve, generating a diverse selection of top-notch food. "Creating products of this standard demands talent as well as sheer hard work, and the winners are a testament to the dedication of these artisans," she said. "They are making an invaluable contribution to the New Zealand food scene."

Helen Walker and Murray Douglas started Te Mata Figs after throwing in corporate jobs in Sydney to live the good life in Hawke's Bay. "We'd never eaten fresh figs in New Zealand, so we thought it was an opportunity to make them more a part of our culture here," she said.

Te Mata Figs now has about 20 varieties of figs in its orchard and will soon have 2000 trees in production.

Ms Walker works full-time at Te Mata figs and Mr Douglas claims tractor and tasting duties when not busy as CEO of the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce.

Their dog, Sketch, makes a tireless contribution to their orchard, chasing down birds that have found their way into the growing enclosure and chasing away rabbits which are constantly gnawing their way in. "He's fully on the payroll," Mr Douglas said - but required close supervision when figs or fig products were within his reach.

The Supreme Award went to Christchurch organic honey producers J Friend and Co, who took top honours for their Pohutukawa Honey.