Announcing the medal winners - 2026 Outstanding Food Producer Awards
As the media partner of the Outstanding Food Producer Awards, the dish team are delighted to share this year's medal winners!
Celebrating their 10-year anniversary this year, the Outstanding Food Producer Awards are one of the most recognised, prestigious quality marks in the Kiwi foodie community.
Across two rigorous days of judging at the NEFF Showroom in Parnell in March, 25 judges – headed by internationally renowned chef Peter Gordon – reviewed, sniffed and tasted a record 432 product entries. 327 products have been recognised for their outstanding quality and innovation with a coveted OFPA medal.
OFPA Head Judge, Peter Gordon says the results are a "hugely positive reflection" of the ‘outstanding’ state of New Zealand food production.
"Judging standards are high and our judges are at the top of their game," says Peter Gordon. "Many of the products I tasted were exceptional, often featuring unique Kiwi innovation and flavours you simply don’t find anywhere else…One minute I was tasting crayfish, the next a praline chocolate. It was a privilege to see the breadth of talent across every category."
Peter Gordon noted a significant rise in the "convenience" trend, with high growth in entries for Ready Prepared Meals and Pre-Made Baking Mixes.
The Free-From category saw its largest number of entries ever, with 73 products competing. This category received 21 gold medals, with highlights including remarkable gluten free and dairy free products showcasing excellence catering to dietary needs.
Each year, more than 3,000,000 Outstanding Food Producer Awards stickers are added to products across New Zealand, providing confidence for consumers to buy local, and buy outstanding! Keep a look out in your local supermarkets and food stores, and grab some winning products for your own table.
High-scoring gold medal winners are now in the running for Category Champion Awards, which will be announced at the Champions Party at The Glasshouse, Auckland on 19 May 2026. The Leefield Station Supreme Champion, Coast FM Kiwi’s Favourite and dish Hero Ingredient Champion will also be announced at the Champions Party.
We look forward to sipping, tasting, writing and photographing up a storm as we prepare to showcase the Champions on our platforms over the coming months! dish will be providing coverage of the Champions in our next issues and online, including features on winners, behind-the-scenes insights, bespoke recipes and exclusive interviews.
Stay tuned!
latest issue:
127
In Dream Escape, we journey from Japan and Morocco to Italy, India and beyond, sharing recipes inspired by travel, heritage and comfort. We celebrate the champions of the Outstanding Food Producer Awards, explore the stories and recipes of chefs shaped by their cultural roots, and warm up with everything from West African soups and slow-braised lamb to porchetta, butter chicken and beef noodle soup. Alongside destination menus, Scandinavian sweets and cosy pub classics, Chrisanne Terblanche shares her favourite street-side dining spots in Bangkok, while Yvonne Lorkin explores red wine varietals. This issue, we invite you to slow down, turn the pages and escape through food.