Kiwi Chef Peter Gordon Joins as Head Judge as Awards Celebrate 10 Years
Outstanding Food Producer Award judging at NEFF 2025; judges from left: Kathy Paterson, Peter Gordon Head Judge 2026,and Connie Clarkson.
The Outstanding Food Producer Awards is delighted to announce internationally renowned chef Peter Gordon as Head Judge for the 2026 Awards, marking the 10th anniversary of New Zealand’s leading celebration of food and drink producers.
Known for his pioneering approach to fusion cuisine and championing New Zealand produce here and globally, Peter Gordon brings a wealth of experience and passion to the judging panel. An Outstanding Food Producer Awards judge for the past three years, Peter was co-founder of Homeland, which was renowned for showcasing Kiwi kai and Pacific cuisine at its restaurant, cookery school and produce store.
Peter said; “I’m a huge fan of the Outstanding Food Producer Awards as it showcases the extraordinary, hard-working and top-of-their-game producers we have here in Aotearoa NZ. Every entry is from someone who really cares about New Zealand's food culture. They have all contributed to its evolution, and to have these awards recognising their efforts is essential. Over the last three years I’ve enjoyed seeing what’s happening in the food producer realm. It just gets better each year with innovation, refinement, dietary needs and so much more. It’s an honour to take over the mantle of Head Judge from Lauraine, and I look forward to working more closely with Nicola and Kathie and the other knowledgeable judges.”
“It’s a privilege to welcome Peter Gordon as Head Judge for our milestone 10th anniversary,” said co-founder Kathie Bartley. “Peter’s global reputation and dedication to New Zealand’s food culture will inspire producers. At the same time, we thank the doyenne of New Zealand food, Lauraine Jacobs who has retired as head judge. From the beginning, Lauraine has guided the OFPA judging panel from 140 entries in the first year to last year’s record 405 entries.”
In addition to Peter heading the team of 25 experienced judges, producers have a longer window to enter and judging has been moved to early March. Entries close on Friday 20 February, giving producers time to enter after a busy summer and a slew of long weekends.
Another 2026 innovation is recognising the growth of premium dairy-free products from ice cream and gelato to cheese and yoghurt with Dairy-Free becoming its own category. Nicola notes that with dairy-free assessed independently, produce in the Free-From category will have the opportunity to shine. The Free-From category is for products made for specific diets such as; gluten-free, vegan, lower sugar and meat-free. Products being assessed as Free-From must be made using ingredients different to the traditional recipe to meet a specific dietary requirement.
Established by Kathie Bartley and Nicola McConnell in 2017, the Outstanding Food Producer Awards will be judged for the 10th time in 2026. Winning products receive coveted Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals, with the Supreme Champion title awarded to the most outstanding producer. Over the past nine years Outstanding Food Producer Awards medal stickers have become the benchmark for savvy shoppers looking for the guarantee the New Zealand made product they buy will taste Outstanding. More than ten million OFPA medal stickers have been affixed to products on shelves in stores and at farmers markets.
Producers affirm the value of being part of OFPA with 2025 Supreme Champion, Nicky Gaddum Business Manager for Matangi - 2025 Leefield Station Supreme Champion saying; “For Matangi, as a boutique food producer, the Outstanding Food Producer Awards represent the pinnacle of food excellence in New Zealand—the benchmark we strive to achieve. The independent, blind judging process provides valuable validation that we are on the right track in producing the finest grass-fed Angus beef. The medals on our meat give our customers’ peace of mind, assuring them that our product is sustainably farmed and, most importantly, tastes exceptional. As a small business, we have gained significant exposure through the positive PR and coverage the awards generate. Additionally, the structure of the awards ensures that for 12 months following a medal win, the OFPA team continues to promote our success, keeping the Matangi brand front and centre.”
Kathie Bartley and Nicola McConnell made special thanks to partners whose support makes the Outstanding Food Producer Awards possible; dish, Leefield Station, BYD Auto New Zealand, New Zealand Food Innovation Network, Emerson’s, Farro, Coast FM, FMCG Business, Label & Litho, Seafood New Zealand and NEFF.