Winners in seven categories have been announced from 48 finalists selected from over 340 nominations. They represent Aotearoa’s unsung food heroes – including the Restaurant Association, a tourism company, industry bodies, community groups, small-town supermarket workers and cafés.
The unique awards have shone a light on the phenomenal nation-wide, behind-the-scenes efforts of volunteers and staff from charities, businesses and individuals to ensure kindness and kai were in plentiful supply during New Zealand’s Covid-19 response.
Catagory Winners
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Industry Supporter NZ Food Heroes Award: Restaurant Association of New Zealand
Massey University Supreme Winner NZ Food Heroes Award: Fair Food Charitable Trust
Countdown People’s Choice NZ Food Heroes Award: Supreme Sikh Society
New Zealand Food Safety Outstanding Service NZ Food Heroes Award: New World Foxton
Cuisine Local Hero NZ Food Heroes Award: Diana Greer
James and Wells Innovators NZ Food Heroes Award: SOS Café
Palmerston North City Council Greater Good NZ Food Heroes Award: Fair Food Charitable Trust
AsureQuality The Dream Team NZ Food Heroes Award: Waitarere Beach Four Square staff
The judges had great things to say about the Association during the Covid-19 lockdown;
‘The Restaurant Association of New Zealand provided their members with legal updates, training/advice during lockdown and forwarded concerns to the government. The Judges said “they were heroes for their nationwide industry members, they lobbied for wage support, provided navigation of legal matters, much needed encouragement and even found the time to provide training webinars for their members to use the lockdown time effectively. Truly impressive!”
Thanks so much to those that nominated and voted for us. We are very proud of this award and even more proud to support such a wonderful and vibrant membership and industry.