Innovate, Elevate, Celebrate
The New Zealand Food Awards, proudly powered by Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University and supported by Cuisine, are back with an emphasis on technical excellence.
We’re seeking the best and brightest food-and-beverage innovators from across the nation to enter in this year’s awards. We welcome entries from products and businesses that reflect the very best of the artisanal craft, as well as household names pushing boundaries in product formulation, process, packaging or distribution.
Shoppers can confidently see the prestigious New Zealand Food Awards Quality Mark, and know it signifies that a product or business has ascended to the industry’s pinnacle. It is a showcase of exceptional technical capability, consumer acceptability, regulatory compliance and uncompromising standards of food quality and safety. This accolade serves as a powerful endorsement for industry and consumers alike.
The New Zealand Food Awards has supported the growth and development of the sector for over 35 years. Central to this is celebrating forward-thinking food science and technology, the field of creating innovative products for modern consumers. This is rooted in the esteemed support of Massey University, a pioneering institution in foodrelated education and research both locally and globally.
In my fourth year as a food critic judge, my focus remains on critically examining the taste, texture and presentation of submitted products. As a New Zealand Registered Nutritionist, I’ll consider nutritional appeal and how a product might meet shoppers’ wants and needs. But I’m not alone – I’ll be joined by a cross-section of experts from across the industry, including technical judges, sustainability and commercial specialists, scientific experts, regulatory guides and more.
Judging the 2024 New Zealand Food Awards
As a finalist, your product and brand will earn prestige and recognition, joining a distinguished community that showcases the industry’s finest. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the dedication and talent behind exceptional products and businesses.
Stay tuned for judging week 24 – 28 June with finalists announced 2 September.
Entrants, finalists, partners and industry are invited to celebrate their success and achievements at the New Zealand Food Awards gala dinner in Auckland on Thursday 10 October 2024.
We can’t wait to see what you have passionately created at the judging week in June.
Danijela Armitage is a food critic judge for the New Zealand Food Awards. She is an NZ Registered Nutritionist, nutrition writer and recipe developer for digital platform Nourish and Tempt, with culinary training from Le Cordon Bleu London.
