Eat Out Zonnebloem Produce Awards winnersThe 2014 winners of the annual Eat Out Zonnebloem Produce Awards were announced in a special ceremony at the Stellenbosch Slowmarket. The awards, founded in 2007, acknowledge and 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). Nominees were assessed by a set of criteria per category, but overall aspects such as taste, presentation, innovation and care for the environment were taken into account to select the 23 winners. An award for Best Local Food Blog was also presented. This category acknowledges the role that local bloggers play in celebrating and uplifting South Africa's food industry. Unlike the other awards, the winner of this award was decided by public vote. Dè-Mari Kellerman, Global Marketing Manager for Zonnebloem wines, says, "Zonnebloem is proud to be associated with the Eat Out Produce Awards and recognises the craftsmanship that goes into creating winning produce. Congratulations to all the winners." Judges – from left to right Vanessa Marx, Abigail Donnelly, Deena Naidoo, Jackie Cameron and Anelde Greeff. The 2014 Eat Out Zonnebloem Produce Awards winners are:Best New Product- Sorbetiere sorbet Says awards judge and Eat Out Editor-in-chief Anelde Greeff: "The judges were blown away by the quality of produce nominated this year, and it was not easy to choose the overall winners. As a result, what we have is a group of outstanding small food producers that represent everything the awards stand for - and their wares are incredibly delicious too!" Aileen Lamb, General Manager for Eat Out, concludes: "The success of past winners shows how the produce awards have made a difference to their lives and grown their businesses. We look forward to more of these positive results again this year." For a full list of the winners click here www.eatout.co.za/award/2014-produce-awards/#producewinners. Visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EatOutmag for photographs of the event. Follow @Eat_Out on Twitter and use the hashtags #EatOutProduceAwards #WDC629. |