Region’s businesses winners in inaugural awards

Two Otago businesses have been named category winners in the inaugural Outstanding New Zealand Food Producer Awards.

Oamaru’s Whitestone Cheese won the outstanding producer dairy  for its Vintage Windsor Blue, while Keewai New Zealand won the Spirit of New Zealand award for its freshwater crayfish.

The winners were announced in Auckland last night after a panel of 10 food judges tasted more than 150 products from 82 growers, farmers and producers.

Products ranged from tomatoes,  seafood and buffalo-milk products to non-alcoholic drinks and cordials,  relishes and sauces.

Absolute NZ Meat was named the supreme winner at the awards. East Cape farmers Sean and Jodi Brosnahan’s winning product, Absolute Angus Porterhouse, was named alongside the seven category winners.

Co-organiser Kathie Bartley said it was  pleasing to see the quality of New Zealand’s primary produce "shine through".

"One of the drivers for these awards was to celebrate and promote the amazing local produce that Kiwis have on their back doorstep," she said.

Keewai is a brand developed by forestry company ErnslawOne, which diversified into farming koura using fire ponds in its forests throughout Otago and Southland, as well as creating new ponds.

Whitestone Cheese is undertaking  a building project to create 1100sq m of additional factory space, doubling its production capacity.

The Otago Farmers Market was named outstanding farmers market in the People’s Choice Awards, after a public vote. More than 8000 people attend the market on average on a good weekend.

The awards will be an annual event.