National Food Awards Successes

By Perry Cornish

The Coromandel is increasingly becoming recognized across NZ as the home of inspiring food and beverage makers judging by recent successes in the 2022 Inspire NZ Artisan Food awards.

Not only in the Coromandel but throughout New Zealand, local company Opito Bay Salt Co. seems to be making waves. In last week’s NZ Artisan Food awards, the company claimed an astonishing 8 Gold medals in the National awards run by Supermarketnews magazine.

Erin Mone, the owner, commented “It’s been a big year for the business, with wins at the Outstanding NZ Food Producers and now The NZ Artisan Food Awards. We feel there’s a real acknowledgment of our Coromandel Sea salt and just how different and tasty it is.” Co-owner, Perry Cornish said “I think the uniqueness of the Coromandel is what draws people to our product.”

Also acknowledged in the Artisan Foods awards this year was new business Wyld, based in Matarangi, with their unique twist on coffee. Film makers and fungi aficionados, Alison Titulaer and Jimmy Muir are passionate about quality coffee and health. They’ve created a premium, Single Origin, Organic and Fair Trade, cold brew coffee, with brain boosting nootropics and immune enhancing adaptogens, from functional mushrooms. Wyld Focus won silver in the beverage section at this year’s awards.

Ali said “We are thrilled to be the highest winning cold brew coffee in this year’s Food Awards, in a very competitive section. We hope this success enables more coffee lovers to discover Wyld.”

Perennial favorite, Coromandel Distilling, based in Thames also won a Gold medal for their classic Awildian Gin at this year’s NZ Artisan Food awards. Daniela Suess and Paul Schneider are no stranger to accolades with their Awildian Gin with it being recognised as the worlds best classic Gin at the London International Wine and Spirit awards.

“We’re pretty stoked. A big thanks to our supporters, you keep us doing what we do!”, says Daniela and Paul.