Independent food producers celebrated

Johannesburg - SA’s best food produce was announced at the Eat Out Zonnebloem Produce Awards held in Stellenbosch at the weekend.

The awards celebrate outstanding, independent South African food producers, markets and outlets for their innovation, passion, integrity and care for the environment.

Nominations were received from the public earlier in the year and the qualifying nominees were judged by Anelde Greeff (editor-in-chief of Eat Out), Abigail Donnelly (editor of Eat Out and group food editor of Woolworths Taste), Jackie Cameron (award-winning chef at Top 10 restaurant Hartford House), Deena Naidoo (winner of MasterChef SA 2012) and Vanessa Marx (award-winning chef at Dear Me).

An award for best local food blog was also presented. This category acknowledges the role that local bloggers play in celebrating and uplifting the food industry. Unlike the other awards, the winner of this award was decided by public vote.

For more information, visit http://www.eatout.co.za/awards

The 2014 Eat Out Zonnebloem Produce Awards winners are:

Best new product: Sorbetiere sorbet

Best small producer: baked goods: Babylonstoren

Best small producer: confectionery: Ooh La La

Best small producer: dairy (other): Jenny’s Clotted Cream

Best small producer: dairy (hard cheese): Chrissie’s Country Cheeses, and, Fynboshoek (tied)

Best small producer dairy (fresh cheese): Buffalo Ridge

Best small producer: earth: Harvest of Hope

Best small producer: grocery/condiments: Quality Pickles

Best small producer: paddock (cured): Woodview Wagyu Beef

Best small producer: paddock (fresh): Greenfields Free Range Beef