The MiNDFOOD Producer Awards aim to recognise the best of the Wellington region’s producers, bringing their products to a wider audience during the popular Wellington On a Plate festival, an event that celebrates the area’s finest food and beverages.
“We are excited to be working alongside Grow Wellington and Visa Wellington On a Plate in showcasing the region’s best producers,” says Michael McHugh, editor-in-chief of MiNDFOOD. “This year we saw the largest number of entries and the judges will have a tough task in selecting the winners for each category as the standard is extremely high.”
The region’s top producers are characterised by a remarkable mixture of foresight and skill, with huge knowledge of their particular specialities. Through the MiNDFOOD Producer Awards they will become the “shop window” for the Wellington region, influencing readers to visit the area and try out the produce for themselves. This year’s finalists are a real mix of producers who celebrate the creativity and diversity of the Wellington region.
The three awards and finalists are:
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD FINALISTS
Kereru Brewing Company Ltd
Kingsmeade Cheese Ltd
Matahiwi Estate
BEST ESTABLISHED PRODUCER AWARD FINALISTS
Carrello del Gelato
Genoese Foods Ltd
Kingsmeade Cheese Ltd
Pirinoa Station
Te Horo Foods
BEST NEW PRODUCER AWARD FINALISTS
Big Bad Wolf Charcuterie
Cocodeli
50 Knots Beverage Company
Siggy’s Pies Ltd
The Clareville Bakery – Artisan Bakery
The four judges will be travelling to visit each producer in early July for final judging.
The judges are:
Michael McHugh, editor-in-chief, MiNDFOOD magazine
Sarah Meikle, festival director, Visa Wellington On a Plate/chief executive Wellington Culinary Events Trust
Fran Wilde, Chair, Greater Wellington Regional Council
Angela Brownie, manager, Business Growth, Grow Wellington
MiNDFOOD looks forward to showcasing some of New Zealand’s best producers in an upcoming issue. A special MiNDFOOD dinner announcing the winners will be held in Wellington at Muse on Allen on August 15. For tickets visit VisaWellingtonOnaPlate.com.
