The Awards acknowledge and celebrate outstanding, independent South African producers, food markets and outlets for their innovation, passion, integrity and care for the environment.
With 15 categories, from Best New Product to Best Market, nominees were judged by Anelde Greeff, Anna Trapido, Abigail Donnelly, Pete Goffe-Wood, Jackie Cameron and Deon van Wyk. Nominees were judged on a set of criteria per category but overall aspects such as taste,appearance, aroma, innovation and care for the environment were taken into account.
A new award for Best Local Food Blog was also announced to acknowledge the role that local bloggers play in South Africa’s food industry. This category, unlike all the others, was voted for by the public on the site, www.eat-in.co.za.
Eat In editor Anelde Greeff said: “This year we were amazed once again at the talent that South Africa’s small producers have to offer. The judges were inundated with excellent produce and beautiful behind-the-scenes stories from across the country, but it was the passion, innovation and exceptional taste of the 18 winners that really stood out.”
2012’s winners are:
Best Outlets
South: Ocean's Edge
East: Piggly Wiggly
North: Braeside Butchery
Best Markets
South: Wild Oats
East: The Food Market
North: Pretoria Boeremark
Best New Product
Karma jams
Innovation Award
Earthshine's Kale chips
Small producer Confectionery
Sweet Temptations toffee
Small producer Grocery
Quality pickles
Small producer Bakery
Oude Bank Bakkerij
Small producer Earth
Boon Hill salad leaves
Small producer Dairy/cheese
Buffalo Ridge (most notably the feta and ricotta)
Small producer Dairy/other
Jenny's clotted cream
Small producer Paddock
Dargle Duck
Organic/Free-range award
Croft chicken
Heritage award
Rozendal vinegar
Best local food blog
Nina Timm's My easy cooking
Nick Thorogood, Managing Director at Food Network EMEA: “All of the award winners should be very proud of their achievements. We’re pleased to be involved in these awards and supporting local industries, as they really showcase the very best of South Africa’s produce. This is particularly important to us as we aim to produce more local content throughout 2012.”
Graham Pfuhl, Marketing and Sales Director, MultiChoice: “We are proud to be associated with the Eat In Produce Awards and we would like to congratulate all the winners for their hard work and contribution in putting South Africa on theinternational food map.”
For more information, visit www.eat-in.co.za
For a full list of the winnersclick here http://www.eat-in.co.za/News/Category/Features/1736/The-winners-of-the-Eat-In-DStv-Food-Network-Produce-Awards and visit our Facebook page for photographs of the event. On Twitter, search #eatinawards for commentary of the awards.
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