Fine Food New Zealand, the international trade exhibition for the foodservice, hospitality and retail industries, held last week at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland, proved a great success. A major highlight of the event was the Best New Product Awards, which celebrate excellence and innovation in all areas of the industry. 

The winners of the 2012 Best New Product Awards were:

Best New Retail Innovation - Extenzo for Fine Interiors; Best New Foodservice Product - Ginelli's for Chocolate Revenge;
Best New Food or Beverage Product - Sealord New Zealand for Seasonal catch Blue Nose with linseed, sunflower and pumpkin seeds; and
Best New Hospitality Equipment - Rational for SelfCookingCentre whitefficiency.

Fine Food New Zealand would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to the winners, finalists and entrants. There was an impressive number of outstanding entries from new Tiger Coffee 'EVERSYS' coffee machines to alternative pest control, to 'Peanut Free Peanut Butter. 

Sponsors of the Best New Product Awards were Hospitality Magazine, FMCG, Supermarket News and Restaurant & Catering News. Winners received a prize of $5,000 worth of advertising in the relative titles and all entrants received major exposure in media leading up to and during the event.

Dona White, CEO of North Port Events, organizers of the show with Diversified Exhibitions Australia, says visitor numbers for 2012 were up and the result bodes well for the future.

"We're thrilled with the 5% increase in trade visitors we had to this year's show, and the calibre of those attendees was high so it meant good business. Both visitors and exhibitors are feeding back to us positively about the show and that's how we mark our success. It confirms that even in the current climate, the food and hospitality industries continue to be powerful sectors that contribute hugely to New Zealand's economic success.

The next Fine Food New Zealand will be held in June, 2014 in Auckland. Visitors will be able to register at finefoodnz.co.nz for free entry up to two weeks before the show.