A vanilla that’s anything but average took centre stage at the prestigious New Zealand Food Awards, alongside our favourite bit on the side – tomato sauce that is!
Heilala Vanilla, ‘the good vanilla’ producer that is locally owned and operated was crowned as Massey University’s 2023 Supreme Award winner for their new and innovative premium product, Alcohol Free Vanilla Paste. The other big winner of the night was all-time Kiwi classic Wattie’s Tomato Sauce, who was awarded the Product Lifetime Achievement Award.
More than 350 guests attended the gala dinner at Auckland’s Aotea Centre to celebrate excellence and innovation amongst Aotearoa New Zealand’s food and beverage industry. This year attendees were invited to purchase finalists’ products that were proudly displayed throughout the evening with all proceeds going to nominated charity, KiwiHarvest. The finalist marketplace raised over $1,600, which equates to 4,600 meals.
KiwiHarvest were named the 2022 Food Hero winners – a title which recognises a business that continually supports Aotearoa’s food and beverage industry. KiwiHarvest rescues between 170,000-200,000 kilograms of good quality surplus food every month and diverts it back to people who are struggling across the country.
KiwiHarvest Founder Deb Manning says it was an honour to be selected as the nominated charity.
“All funds raised will go towards our mission to reduce food waste and see nutritious food fulfilling its intended purpose – to nourish people across Aotearoa,” Ms Manning says.
Heilala Vanilla won both the Pantry Award sponsored by Countdown and the Business Innovation Award sponsored by BNZ. Heilala Vanilla is a privately owned company with a sharp moral compass, and a commitment to actively investing in their communities. Sustainability is at the forefront of operations, and is weaved into everything they do, including a zero waste approach.
The national headquarters are in Tauranga but the true magic happens over in the Kingdom of Tonga where the vanilla is grown. Heilala Vanilla exists today because of an aid project that John Ross and his family founded in 2020 after the island was brutally ravaged by Cyclone Waka. After partnering with a local family in the village of Utungake, a small vanilla plantation was established and the global humanitarian brand Heilala Vanilla was born.
The company’s newest and award-winning product, Alcohol Free Vanilla Paste, is described by the judges as truly innovative and scored maximum points for both innovation and sustainability. It provides consumers with an alcohol-free alternative without compromising on taste – a rare achievement given the technical complexity involved in production. Heilala Vanilla have heavily invested into researching and developing their product range to ensure its latest addition is of the highest quality.
Head Judge Kay McMath says Heilala Vanilla now have affirmation of excellence following the vigorous judging process used in the awards, and by securing the top title of Massey University Supreme Award winner.
“Heilala Vanilla have developed a technically challenging vanilla paste by using a glycerine-extracted vanilla and then creating a formula that achieved a spoonable paste. The flavour is excellent, and the product delivers an innovative and sought after alternative to consumers.
“The product impressed in all areas of judging – excellence, innovation and sustainability, earning the highest score seen in the awards history. It’s also provides the hospitality sector and retail markets with an alcohol-free alternative, while still matching the sensory profile of existing Heilala products,” Ms McMath says.
The Business Innovation judges praised Heilala Vanilla for being a proactive business leading the way for consumers.
“Innovation is reflected in every aspect of product, channel, brand and operations. Heilala Vanilla are a model company with a premium product, doing all they can to extend its positioning in a global market. Their success is a testament to the power of integrating inward technological investment, social values and quality ingredients.
Following the robust and thorough judging of almost 400 entries from 124 companies, in mid-August the Awards organisers announced 61 impressive finalists across 10 award categories. At the New Zealand Food Awards gala dinner,10 category winners and the overall Supreme Winner were announced.
Lifetime Achievement Award for Kiwi classic
Wattie’s Tomato Sauce, a classic Kiwi favourite, won the Product Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by AsureQuality. The award, which was introduced in 2019, celebrates Kiwi products that have withstood the test of time, and its consumer loyalty is proof of the impact of its initial innovation.
Another standout food producer was EatKinda, who make frozen desserts out of the humble cauliflower! Not only does it taste good, it’s good for the planet too as the cauliflower used would have been destined for landfill otherwise. EatKinda won both the Below Zero Award sponsored by FoodHQ for their Strawberry Swirl frozen dessert and the Novel Award sponsored by New Zealand Food Innovation Network for their Mint Choc Bikkie frozen dessert.
Other category winners included: Mixed Roots “Hot Stuff” Curry Oil, winners of the Artisan Award sponsored by Cuisine, AVATAR’s Mānuka Honey Elixir – Lemon & Mixed Berry Flavoured, winners of the Beverage Award sponsored by Massey University, Kāpiti’s Succulent Summer Plum Yoghurt, winners of the Chilled Award sponsored by Countdown, Pure Food Co’s Tiramisu, winners of the Health and Wellbeing Award sponsored by Palmerston North City Council; and Royalburn’s Fine Lamb, winners of the Primary Sector Award sponsored by New Zealand Food Safety.
The New Zealand Food Awards have celebrated New Zealand’s food and beverage manufacturers since 1987, focusing on innovation, sustainability and excellence. The awards are open to small and large food and beverage manufacturers, primary food producers, food service providers and ingredient supply companies.
Finalist and winning products earn the New Zealand Food Award’s quality mark to highlight their technical capability, consumer acceptability, regulatory compliance, and food quality and safety to consumers and industry.
The awards programme is made possible with the support of Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, Countdown, Cuisine, Palmerston North City Council, BNZ, New Zealand Food Safety, FoodHQ, New Zealand Food Innovation Network, AsureQuality, FMCG Business, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, The New Zealand Institute of Food Science & Technology Inc., XPO Exhibitions and Villa Maria.
Artisan Award – Sponsored by Cuisine
Mixed Roots – “Hot Stuff” Curry Oil
Below Zero Award – Sponsored by FoodHQ
EatKinda – EatKinda Strawberry Swirl
Beverage Award – Sponsored by Massey University
AVATAR – Mānuka Honey Elixir – Lemon & Mixed Berry Flavoured
Business Innovation Award – Sponsored by BNZ
Heilala Vanilla
Chilled Award – Sponsored by Countdown
Kāpiti – Succulent Summer Plum Yoghurt
Health and Wellbeing Award – Sponsored by Palmerston North City Council
Pure Food Co – Tiramisu
Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by AsureQuality
Wattie’s – Tomato Sauce
Novel Award – Sponsored by New Zealand Food Innovation Network
EatKinda – EatKinda Mint Choc Bikkie
Pantry Award – Sponsored by Countdown
Heilala Vanilla – Alcohol Free Vanilla Paste
Primary Sector Award – Sponsored by New Zealand Food Safety
Royalburn – Fine Lamb
Supreme Award – Sponsored by Massey University
Heilala Vanilla – Alcohol Free Vanilla Paste
For more information, visit www.foodawards.co.nz
