Two Hawke's Bay companies have impressed judges in this year's Cuisine Artisan Awards, making it to the list of 12 national winners.
The Damson Collection and Orcona ChillisNPeppers received the recognition for their boutique products.
Havelock North's The Damson Collection's damson jam won for its "punchy plum flavour". Last year its damson
paste was a winner in the Artisan Awards.
The Damson Collection began in Tom and Margie Chambers' home kitchen as treats for family and friends. The recipe for the winning jam is Tom's father's. The judges noted a perfect balance between acidity and sugar, so rarely achieved in other jams.
Orcona ChillisNPeppers, from Napier, won praise for its aromatic and flavoursome harissa paste, a blend of cayenne, jalapeno and serrano chillies, along with spices and vinegar. With about 3500 chilli and capsicum plants, owners Anne Prescott and Kevin Baker have been making relishes, sauces and pastes for six years with great success. Ms Prescott said the award made their hard work worthwhile.
Head judge, Cuisine deputy food editor Fiona Smith, said there were a wide range of entries. "From specialty jams, honey and pastes, to hot-smoked salmon, gourmet yoghurts and puddings, the 2011 entrants covered a wide range of locally crafted products and were all standouts."
Artisans produce handmade or individually crafted goods, generally on a small scale and often according to traditional practices. To be eligible for the awards, businesses must have an annual turnover of less than $5 million.
Food Hawke's Bay general manager Jane Libby said it was satisfying to know the region was keeping up with the rest of the country.
"There was so much more competition out there now, artisan producers have really taken off in the past few years so we are proud of our members and know the hard work that goes into it."
