'Masseys' to celebrate the best Kiwi kai

This year’s New Zealand Food Awards will celebrate new initiatives in food and beverage and recognise the creative work of innovators across the sector.

The awards – refreshed as the Masseys – will identify the best food products New Zealand delivers, with categories from dairy products and convenience to food business.

Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey says the University is delighted to remain at the forefront of the awards, which have been hosted by the University’s Institute for Food, Nutrition and Human Health for several years.

“Massey University is a natural leader for excellence and innovation in food, with its established expertise in food supporting the industry since the 1920s,” Mr Maharey says. “Our University’s research and teaching has a long history of influencing the way New Zealanders think about food, nutrition and health. The Food Awards help encourage excellence, creativity and innovation in this very important area in which New Zealand continues to have an influence on the international stage. Previous winners have benefitted by being able to leverage off their success in their marketing and the recognition they receive for being among New Zealand’s best food producers.

The awards will culminate in a showcase dinner at Auckland’s Langham Hotel on October 28. Entries open this month.

This year the entry process has been streamlined and simplified, with the aim of encouraging established and emerging food businesses to take part and benefit from the judging process, which involves input from experienced industry professionals.

Sponsorship of the awards is now open, with sponsors able to align with the awards’ objectives of excellence and innovation, as well as taking an industry leadership position.
The categories are
Food Enterprise Innovation:

• Food Export Award
• Emerging Enterprise Award
• Best Food Enterprise Innovation
• Food Operations Innovation:
• Food Safety Award
• Packaging Award
• Best Food Operations Innovation

Food Product Innovation:

• Bakery
• Cereals and breads
• Snacks and confectionary
• Convenience and meal solutions
• Gourmet
• Other food and beverage
• Best Food Product Innovation

Special awards are also in development and an overall Massey University Supreme Award will also be made.