Authenticity pays valuable dividend

Staying true to French roots has paid off for this year’s supreme winner of the New Zealand Food Awards.

Paneton Bakery won the Massey University Supreme Award for its ready-to-use flaky puff pastry. It also won the Minister for Primary Industries Bakery Award.

The awards, which celebrate the innovation and creativity of New Zealand food products and business, were announced at a gala dinner.

Paneton Bakery founder Dominque Colombie says he has not changed his father’s recipe for the pastry, which only uses four ingredients.

The bakery, now 25 years old, expanded into frozen products that are now available in supermarkets and speciality stores. It was a finalist at last year’s awards for its frozen croissants.

Mr Colombie says the range extension helped double his business in the past three years.

His daughter, Paneton Bakery marketing director Madeline Colombie, says when producing new products the bakery ensures it stays true to its French roots.

“We stay true to the traditions and the authenticity of our brand and our people.

“When we go to launch a new product – whether it be a cake for the shop or a frozen croissant – we look first at what French history it has and what New Zealand connection it has.”

Newcomer I Am Sauce, won two categories: the Villa Maria other food and beverage, and the Foodbowl value-added processing technology award.

The win was a surprise to founder Henry MacKenzie, who says he has only been producing the all-purpose sauce for six months.

He told FIW he was looking forward to expansion, as the product is only available at the Clevedon farmer’s market.

The category winners from 102 entries were:

Massey University Supreme Award

Paneton Bakery – Ready to Use Flaky Puff Pastry

Ministry for Primary Industries Bakery Award

Paneton Bakery – Ready To Use Flaky Puff Pastry

Ministry for Primary Industries Cereal & Breads Award

Wild Wheat Specialty Breads – Kumara Sourdough

ATEED Snacks and Confectionery Award

Fonterra Brands Tip Top – The Ice Bar Co

ATEED Convenience & Meal Solutions Award

LHF – Naked Kitchen Fresh Chilled Meals range

Villa Maria Other Food & Beverages Award

I Am Sauce – All Purpose Sauce

The New Zealand Herald Viva Gourmet Award

J Friend & Co – New Zealand Artisan Honey

Countdown Grocer’s Choice Award

JH Whittaker & Sons – Whittaker’s Mini Slabs

AsureQuality Food Safety Award

Greenshell NZ – Ikana Live Greenshell Mussels

Packaging Design Award

Archer MacRae Beverages – Ritzling

Foodbowl Value-Added Processing Technology Award

I Am Sauce – All Purpose Sauce

KPMG Export Award

J Friend & Co

Rabobank Business Innovation Award

Aria Farm for Woolworths Select

Massey University Research & Development Award

Fonterra Brands – Symbio Probalance Probiotic Yoghurt