FoodTalk Awards 2018 winners announced

The FoodTalk Awards celebrate food and drink founders and their ideas spanning everything from packaging to technology.

Winners include innovators behind unique creations like banana ketchup and hibiscus gin and tonic, a noodle kiosk and a biodegradable sushi tray.

Sue Nelson, FoodTalk Show founder and presenter said, “We had some of the best names in food and drink on our panel and we all agreed judging was tough: every entry was of a super-high standard and each one unique. We checked out innovative sustainable packaging, amazing technology and thoughtful artisan products. Obviously, we had to taste a lot of incredible food and drink products, too, of course! I’m proud of the innovators we have in our sector and these awards give them the recognition they deserve.”

More than 40 food, retail and technology professionals made it through to the final of The FoodTalk Awards 2018, with nine gold medals and a host of silvers awarded. The competition was launched last year by Sue, a presenter, published food writer and former CEO of NW Fine Foods.

Sue continued, “We are thrilled to have celebrated the most outstanding achievements across the highly competitive food sector and rewarded those who will help define its future. All of the entrants this year are playing a part in the success of our sector and we are confident their future achievements will be built on the foundations we have laid with The FoodTalk Awards.”

The full list of gold and silver medalists are:

 

All in the Taste Award – Food

Gold Award Winners:
Baked By Neelu – Signature chocolate brownies
Kinomi Nuts – Kinomi Nuts
Fifth Dimension Chocolates – Soy Caramel Sauce
Rubies in the Rubble – Banana ketchup
Morocco Gold – Single estate extra virgin olive oil

People’s Choice Champion:
Rubies in the Rubble – Banana ketchup

 

All in the Taste Award – Drink

Gold Award Winners:
Yumcha – Moroccan mint ice tea
World of Zing – Bordeaux barrel aged negroni
Dalston’s – Cola
Longflint Drinks Co – Hibiscus, gin tonic
Double Dutch – Pomegranate and basil tonic water

People’s Choice Champion:
Longflint Drinks Co – Hibiscus, gin tonic

 

Clean Eating Award

Gold Award: On The Menu – Real good ketchup
Silver Award: Moose Maple – Moose maple butter
Silver Award: Green Cola – Green Cola

Free-From Award

Gold Award: Bonnie Yau – Thai style satay sauce (vegan and peanut free)
Gold Award: Oast to Host – Pastry mix (gluten and wheat flour free)

Smart Packaging Award

Gold Award: Cornware – Biodegradable sushi tray
Silver Award: Wool Cool – Sustainable packaging
Silver Award: Snact – Plastic-free packaging

Smart Tech/Kitchen Award

Gold Award: Mr Lees – Noodle kiosk
Silver Award: Still on the Move – Mobile distillery

Presenters’ Award

Gold Award: Dunnet Bay Distillers – Holy grass vodka
Silver Award: The Vurger Co – 100% plant-based burgers
Silver Award: The Chocolate Smiths – Cheese and cracker chocolate
Silver Award: St Ewe – Boost the roost free range eggs

The Impossible to Categorise Award

Gold Award: Helen Roberts of Wandsworth Foodies – Supporting food businesses to launch
and grow
Silver Award: Little Cook Box – Meal kits for kids
Silver Award: Petrow Quality Kernels – Nut and seed processing
Silver Award: Gerald McDonald & Co – Ingredient sourcing and blending