Marlborough’s Pinoli Premium Pine Nuts has been recognised for its tiny flavour-filled nuts and its risky journey to become the southern hemisphere’s only pine nut producer.
The company has been named Supreme Champion at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards 2023.
Investing in the Mediterranean pine aka Pinus pinea is a long game; its first crop is only harvestable after eight to 10 years, so it was a leap of faith for Pinoli Premium Pine Nuts founders Andy and Barb Wiltshire and general manager, Lee Paterson. Andy Wiltshire (pictured) said failure was never an option, and since the first planting in 1998, the company has planted 500,000 trees on 540 hectares in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley.
Pinoli pine nuts are sold to food lovers throughout New Zealand and Australia and recently began exporting to Europe.
In addition to being named Supreme Champion 2023, Pinoli Premium Pine Nuts was also named Farro Earth Champion.
The judges’ feedback was outstanding; “Excellent, amazing flavour and aroma and a nice little sweetness at the end. An awesome product all round. The favourite product we tasted all day!”
Judge Lauraine Jacobs noted that it was also very satisfying to witness the high level of praise for locally produced meat at the awards. “By far the largest group of Gold Medal winners was in the Paddock category and it was almost an impossible task for the team to separate so many outstanding meats to name the Champion of this category, Moreish Organic Butchery. The strength of this field is an affirmation of the fine work our Kiwi farmers are doing.”
Manawatū couple Braden Parsons and Nicola Fitzsimons operate Moreish with a team of 10 – including three butchers – processing beef, lamb, chicken and pork from a network of 50 certified organic farmers which they only sell online.
Returning winners
This year’s Seafood New Zealand Champion was one of a handful of returning winners – Tora Collective Crayfish. When commercial fisher Troy Bramley and his partner, marketer Claire Edwards realised the best kaimoana left New Zealand’s shores for overseas markets they established Tora Collective. They fish sustainability off the southern Wairarapa coast to supply ‘kaimoana fresh as, straight from the ocean’.
The 2023 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards also saw the return of multi-year winner Whitestone Cheese Co, with Whitestone Oamaru Blue named 2023 Dairy Champion.
Pete’s Natural Currant Crush was given the accolade of Label & Litho Drink Champion, with Tasman juicers Pete and Marleen Suy putting sustainability at the heart of their business – using 30 to 50 per cent less sugar, fresh spray-free fruit, undertaking production in a solar-powered Motueka factory, and using paper labels and recycled glass bottles.
Another returning Champion is Auckland boutique gelato maker Little ‘Lato, which received the inaugural Free-From Champion for its Little ‘Lato Mango Lassi in 2021 and received the Award again in 2023. This year’s award was received along with two Gold Medals, a Silver Medal and a Bronze Medal with the judges raving about the Mango Lassi.
This year Raglan Food Co was awarded the Marvellous Marketing Outstanding Sustainability Award; the second time they have received this accolade. Sustainability judges Emily King and Fiona Stephenson said Raglan Food Co continues to raise the bar.
“It’s a leader in its sector and a shining light for others to follow. What stands out is its continuous innovation and commitment to community.”
This year’s FMCG Business New Product Champion is awards newcomer, Big Glory Bay, Fresh New Zealand King Salmon Portions. Sanford-owned, the Rakiura/Stewart Island salmon farm Big Glory Bay is one of the world’s most remote aquaculture farms. The cool water temperature of around 12degC means growth of its King Salmon is slow, giving it time to develop a rich, distinctive flavour.
Augustines of Central, Blackcurrants in Cassis took out the Marvellous Marketing Outstanding New Product – Boutique. Owned by Dunedin chef Gus Hayden, Augustines of Central revives the age-old art of preserving, by giving Central Otago’s summer bounty a modern twist.
Premium Game received the NZ Life & Leisure Spirit of New Zealand Award – an accolade recognising the spirit of innovation required by pioneering producers. NZ Life & Leisure editorial director Kate Coughlan said Premium Game was a great example of a sustainable business.
“We were struck by the company’s innovative approach to business: it utilises wild game as quality food. These pest populations such as rabbit, venison, wild pork and tahr are introduced species and they pose a great danger to our fragile ecosystems.
“Premium Game works with skilled hunters and butchers to prepare the meat for the market, and in a sustainable way that allows consumers to feel good about enjoying meat and in so doing help control pests. Everybody wins, and most importantly, the environment.”
This year’s Emerging Business Champion, Links Quality Meats, hails from Dunedin. Since the butchery in Dunedin’s CBD opened last year it has developed a reputation with locals for quality cuts and for its sausages. They rotate 50 recipes, all of which they make instore.
The final two awards were chosen by popular public vote.
The Hawke’s Bay certified BioGrow organic farm Lindsay Farm Dairy sell all of their milk directly to consumers who showed their appreciation by voting them number one. In this year’s Awards they also won a Silver Medal for their A2 Organic Pasteurised Milk.
For the first time the Kiwis’ Favourite Farmers’ Market was awarded to joint winners; Clevedon Village Farmers’ Market and Otago Farmers Market.
2023 marks the seventh year of the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, with judging held at Homeland in late February. Judges tasted and assessed more than 290 locally harvested, grown and made food and drink products. For more information on the Awards go to: www.outstandingfoodproducer.co.nz
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