Being recognised alongside other premium makers at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards was a thrill for Middlehurst Delivered founders Sophie and Lucy and their entire farming family. What makes their merino lamb outstanding?

Wise Boys kaupapa was rewarded with two Gold Medals at the 2023 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, for Wise Boys Hemp and Mushroom Burger Patties and Wise Boys Spicy Chipotle Burger Patties.

The determination of the Southern hemisphere’s only pine nut grower - Pinoli Premium Pine Nuts - was recognised when they were named Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards 2023 Supreme Champion.

Johnty Tatham aka Lucid Chocolatier jumped into our hearts when he took out the title of Supreme Winner at last year's NZ Chocolate Awards. The winning has continued in the 2023 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards with Lucid Chocolatier receiving a Gold and a Silver Medal.

Named Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards Supreme Champion 2022, the Chatham Island Food Co provides some of Aotearoa’s best quality kaimoana.

Optio Bay Salt Co. combines sunshine, pristine Coromandel salt water and patience to create award-winning salt. The artisan salt producer broke into the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards in 2022 when they were named Emerging Business and were awarded five medals; including two Gold Medals for Opito Bay Salt Co, Natural Sea Salt and Opito Bay Salt Co, Rosemary Sea Salt.

Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards multiple medal-winner Cranky Goat proves with hard work and determination a hobby can become a rewarding family business.

A love for quinoa sparked by a trip through South America over a decade ago, has led a couple to pioneer the industry in New Zealand from their family farm near Taihape.

Leigh and Hasanthi, founders of The Hemp Butter Co, found success at this year’s Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, receiving a Silver Medal. While the duo has enjoyed this success, their journey getting started was no small feat.

When Robbies Artisan Collection Noir Gärlik, Black Garlic Sauce was named Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards Free From Champion 2022 and received a gold medal, Gore’s Josie Robinson was rewarded for all the trial and error, tears and driving over the past few years.

The West Coast Pie Co was recognised with a Gold and a Silver Medal in the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards 2022.

Oakley’s Baby Golden Gourmet Potatoes were awarded a Medal in 2021 with the judges noting that the gourmet potatoes filled a niche by being small, buttery and golden – and ‘lovely to eat’. It’s this sort of innovation that ensures this multi-generational family business stands apart.

Red Shoots is a great New Zealand story, a purpose-driven drinks maker focusing on sustainably creating nutritious, high-quality products. They achieve this with four ranges of drinks: Daily Good, Good Cocktail Co, Just Fresh Co and Happy Hour Collective. Followers of the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards will recognise Daily Good, as these drinks have won four medals in the Awards since 2018.

Waiheke Herbs is an Outstanding NZ Food Producer multi-award winner, having collected Silver Medals for Waiheke Herb Spread (2018); Waiheke Herbs Aioli with Herbs (2019) and Waiheke Herbs Asian Herb Spread (2020). 2022 marks the a new era for this small producer which founder Wendy Kendall continues to drive with positive energy and good humour.

Multi-year Gold Medal-winning eggs from Chester Road not only taste outstanding but they’re packaged in 50% grass-based cartons.

From the oil industry to artisan chocolate maker, this is the story of Karl Hogarth, founder of Nelson’s award-winning Hogarth Chocolate. The decision to stay home and build his own business turned Nelson’s Karl Hogarth into an avid chocolate-maker.