dish partners with Outstanding Food Producer Awards

Stewards organise tasting at the Outstanding Food Producer Awards 2024 judging at Homeland

The Outstanding Food Producer Awards is thrilled to announce a new partnership with dish, New Zealand’s leading food, drink and lifestyle title. This collaboration marks an exciting chapter for the Awards, as we build on eight years of success and celebration.

Recognising the very best of New Zealand food and drink, the Outstanding Food Producer Awards showcases producers who excel in quality, innovation and sustainability. Established by Kathie Bartley and Nicola McConnell in 2017, the Awards cover 14 categories, including special nods for innovation and sustainability, judged by a diverse panel of food experts. Winning products receive coveted Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals, with the Supreme Champion title awarded to the most outstanding producer.

dish is renowned for their dedication to showcasing achievable culinary excellence and will bring their expertise, passion and reach to the Awards. Together, we aim to highlight the stories and achievements of Aotearoa’s outstanding food producers, and foster a deeper appreciation for local, sustainable, and high-quality food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Every entrant will be considered for the new dish Hero Ingredient Award, which will be judged by CEO and Editor, Sarah Tuck, and Food Editor, Claire Aldous.

“We are delighted to welcome dish as our media partner,” said Kathie Bartley, co-founder of  Outstanding Food Producer Awards. “Their commitment to celebrating New Zealand’s food culture aligns perfectly with our values, and we look forward to working together to shine a spotlight on the incredible talent within Aotearoa’s food industry.”

Awards co-founder, Nicola McConnell, continues saying, “It’s exciting to work with dish as we share a kaupapa to celebrate and honour New Zealand food and drink made with aroha.” The partnership will see dish provide extensive coverage of the Awards, including features on winners, behind-the-scenes insights and exclusive interviews.

dish has experienced remarkable growth in readership and sales. According to recent data, dish has seen a 38.6% increase in readership from 2022 to 2023, and their growth trajectory has continued into 2024. This surge in popularity is attributed to their commitment to accessible, engaging food and lifestyle content and their ability to resonate with a wide audience across print, web and social platforms. The success of dish can be credited to the exceptional leadership of Sarah Tuck and her dedicated team, including Food Editor Claire Aldous.

Sarah Tuck is equally delighted to be partnering with the Outstanding Food Producer Awards.

“Honestly, this is such a brilliant initiative to be part of. At dish we know how the quality of the produce can affect the outcome of a meal, and how much love and effort goes into the job of producing exceptional food and drink. It is an honour to have the opportunity to showcase the exceptional talent and hard work of New Zealand producers to the dish audience. We see this as being the start of an exciting new collaboration, and look forward to sipping, tasting, judging, writing and photographing up a storm as the Awards progress from entries all the way to presenting the medals and showcasing the winners on our platforms!”

dish joins a stable of partners including; another new 2025 partner The New Zealand Food Innovation Network which includes; Leefield Station, BYD Auto New Zealand, Emerson’s Brewery, Farro, Seafood New Zealand, Coast, FMCG Business and Label & Litho. 

Entry for the 2025 Awards open via the Outstanding Food Producer Awards website from Monday 4 November 2024, ahead of judging at Auckland’s UnserHaus on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 February 2025.

Judging will be managed under the guidance of Head Judge, Lauraine Jacobs across the following categories; Leefield Station Supreme Champion; dish Hero Ingredient Champion; Farro Earth Champion; Emerson’s Paddock Champion; Seafood New Zealand Seafood Champion; Leefield Station Dairy Champion; Chocolate Bean-to-Bar Champion: Chocolate Bonbon Champion; Label & Litho Drink Champion: Free-From Champion; FMCG Business Outstanding New Product Champion; Outstanding New Boutique Product Champion; BYD Auto New Zealand Sustainability Champion; New Zealand Food Innovation Network Emerging Business Champion and the foodie vote awards; Coast Kiwis Favourite Farmers Market and Coast Kiwis Favourite Food Producer.