FERNGLEN FARM - LABNEH

Fernglen Farm Labneh won the dish Hero Ingredient Champion Award, the judges said; “Excellent texture with a great balance of flavours. Wonderful creamy viscosity.” The Wairarapa sheep farm is a family affair owned and run by Jeff and Shirley Ravenwood and their children, Ben, Baeley and Cameron.

CONSCIOUS VALLEY - CONSCIOUS VALLEY LAMB SHOULDER RACK

Conscious Valley Lamb Shoulder Rack was named Emerson’s Paddock Champion. The judges’ said; “Succulent and tender with fantastic flavour. Judges' wanted to pick it up and gnaw from the bone!”  Run by Hamish and Caroline Best, the 420-hectare Ōhāriu Valley farm has been in Hamish’s family for six generations. Conscious Valley is no stranger to the Outstanding Food Producer Awards after receiving the inaugural dish Hero Ingredient Champion and the Emerging Business Champion Awards in 2025.

DREAMVIEW CREAMERY - NATURAL PROBIOTIC YOGHURT WITH BOYSENBERRY COMPOTE

Leefield Station Dairy Champion is Dreamview Creamery, Natural Probiotic Yoghurt with Boysenberry Compote. Judges’ tasting notes said it “a pleasing swirl of boysenberry...it’s well-balanced sugar and tartness...” Dreamview Creamery is the result of a pivot by the Hill family, who transformed their coastal Raglan farm from traditional dairy into a sustainable, direct-to-consumer glass bottle milk business, recently adding Natural Yoghurt made on the farm to their offering.

SOUTHERN CLAMS - LITTLENECK CLAMS

From the South, Southern Clams was named Seafood New Zealand Seafood Champion for its Southern Clams, Littleneck Clams. Judges raved; “A lovely clam! Very enjoyable and we can’t fault this product.” Southern Clams is a pioneer in sustainable aquaculture, harvesting wild Littleneck clams from Dunedin’s pristine coastal waters using a bespoke, low-impact system that has earned them international sustainability certifications and ensures clams reach seafood lovers in optimum condition.

MONS FLAVOURS - GOLDEN HONEY

Hailing from Rotorua, Label & Litho Drink Champion is Mons Flavours Golden Honey. Founder Monisha Sharma drew upon her Indian heritage to create a blend of Rewarewa honey, zesty lemon and organic spices, when added to hot water or warmed milk. The judges said was an ‘Outstanding’ drink with ‘Great length and complexity...’

RAGLAN FOOD CO - VANILLA BEAN COCONUT YOGHURT

From a Raglan kitchen bench in 2014, the company founded by Seb Walter and Tesh Randall was named Dairy-Free Champion for its Raglan Food Co, Vanilla Bean Coconut Yoghurt. According to the OFPA judges’ the yoghurt “is awesome...a Rarotongan breakfast on a spoon!”

EAT MY CAKE - COCONUT CHOCOLATE BROWNIE

Eat My Cake founded by Zaryna Mulvay, is the Free-From Champion for Eat My Cake, Coconut Chocolate Brownie, a gluten-free take on a global favourite. High praise from the judges who said, ‘fudgy, chewy and delicious’. Find it at Farro and the Matakana Farmers’ Market.

BARON HASSELHOFF’S BUTTER BOOM, BURNT BUTTER & CINNAMON CHOCOLATE BAR

Wellington’s Baron Hasselhoff’s Butter Boom, Burnt Butter & Cinnamon Chocolate Bar was Chocolate Bean-to-Bar Champion. “Judges loved the appearance. Complex and delicious lactic flavours.” Husband and wife team Clayton McErlane, founder and Chief Chocolate Disciple and Erin Todd run the chocolate maker with a ‘Dangerously Good’ ethos, pushing boundaries by creating great flavour combos.

MIND YOUR TEMPER - MISO LEMON HAZELNUT BONBON

For the third year in a row, Christchurch bonbon maker, Mind Your Temper, is on the winners’ podium. Mind Your Temper, Miso Lemon Hazelnut Bonbon is the Chocolate Bonbon Champion. The judges said; “Incredible concept...Original and unique. Balanced flavour and texture. Really has the 'wow' factor!”. Created by Christchurch’s Nel Vincencio, Mind Your Temper’s hand painted, plant-based bonbons are continuously evolving with Nel regularly crafting new flavour combos.

HŌHEPA HAWKES BAY

For the second consecutive year, Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay was awarded BYD Auto New Zealand Sustainability Champion. Sustainability judges Fiona Stephenson and Emily King said Hōhepa’s record of sustainable business practice was hard to beat. Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay has a longstanding commitment to organic, biodynamic and regenerative farming, producing quality food while providing meaningful employment for people with intellectual disabilities.

BARKER’S OF GERALDINE - RASPBERRY & LEMONADE SLUSHIE

The FMCG Business New Product Champion is Barker's of Geraldine, Raspberry & Lemonade Slushie. ‘A really refreshing slushie. Acid and sugar beautifully balanced’, according to the judges. Iconic New Zealand food producer Barker’s of Geraldine is an award-winning manufacturer celebrated for its ‘paddock-to-plate’ supply chain and commitment to quality fruit and vegetable preserves. In a nice twist, Barker’s were a medal winner in the inaugural 2017 OFPA.

PAULINE’S PASTICCERIA - SAVOURY TART SHELLS

New Boutique Product Champion is Pauline's Savoury Tart Shells. A premade savoury pastry shell which the judges said had ‘great flavour’ and was an ‘excellent product’. Based in Auckland’s Eastern Beach, Pauline crafts authentic Italian treats and premium pastry using traditional methods. Available online at Pauline’s web store.