Emerson’s Paddock Champion

Moreish Organic Scotch Fillet & Moreish Pure Organic Beef Patties

Moreish Organic Butchery received the accolade for its Organic Scotch Fillet and Pure Organic Beef Burger Patties; both of which received Gold Medals. Tasting judges said the Moreish Organic Scotch Fillet had ‘Amazing mouthfeel, luscious. Tender and juicy…’ While the sustainability judges noted they had an excellent sustainability strategy. Manawatū couple Braden Parsons and Nicola Fitzsimons operate Moreish with a team of 10 processing beef, lamb, chicken and pork from a network of 50 certified organic farmers which they only sell online.

Seafood New Zealand Water Champion

Tora Collective Crayfish

At the tasting assessment the judges noted the appearance of Tora Collective’s wild-caught crayfish was as good as its flavour; ‘Beautifully sweet flesh. Wonderful to see antennae and legs with nothing broken.’ When commercial fisher Troy Bramley and his partner, marketer Claire Edwards realised the best kaimoana left our shores they established Tora Collective. They fish sustainability off the southern Wairarapa coast to supply ‘kaimoana fresh as, straight from the ocean’. Their live pāua was Seafood New Zealand Champion in 2021.  

Label & Litho Drink Champion

Pete’s Natural Currant Crush

The judges were unamious in their praise for Pete's Natural Currant Crush saying, ‘Sweet blackcurrant and balanced acidity. Great colour, hop notes subtle. A very enjoyable drink!’. Tasman juicers Pete and Marleen Suy put 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, using paper labels and recycled glass bottles.

Marvellous Marketing Free-From Champion

Little ‘Lato Mango Lassi

Little ‘Lato received the inaugural Free-From Special Award for 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 saying ‘Yum we love it, blown away! Beautiful mango flavour. Great balance, not too sweet. Fab texture. Nailed it!’

Marvellous Marketing Dairy Champion

Whitestone Cheese Co. Oamaru Blue

Whitestone Oamaru Blue is 2023 Dairy Champion. This follows the iconic North Otago cheesemaker Whitestone being awarded Dairy Champion in the inaugural 2017 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, being named NZ Life & Leisure Spirit of New Zealand winner and  Coast People’s Choice Outstanding NZ Food Producer in 2019 and amassing 27 medals over the Awards seven years. At this year’s tasting, judges struggled to set aside the Whitestone Oamaru Blue saying ‘Delicious, great blue cheese. True flavour, well balanced…we could not stop eating this!’