Awards – for me and for South African food producers

You know that old saying about "if at first you don't succeed, try and try again"? I'd never been quite convinced by it.  I was always more of a "if at first you don't succeed, so much for bungee jumping" kinda gal! But every once in a while, the universe nudges you with its elbow and says "see – I told you so!". 

I've entered the lovely Jai and Bee's CLICK event almost every time since its inception and my photos have never come anywhere.  When I did a carefully staged shot, a casual snap won.  When I did casual snap, a carefully staged shot won.  When I did sweet, savoury won; and vice versa etc etc. ad nauseam!  But… this week I received a comment on my blog from Bee, tantalisingly telling me that there was something waiting for me on Jugalbandi.  And when I clicked through, there it was – my pic on the podium.

My picture won third place!!!

A thousand thank yous to the hard-working judges and of course to Jai and Bee, and congratulations to my fellow-winners Christey, Vera and Ema! And in case you missed it, here is my winning pic again:

Back home in South Africa, it's also been a week for awards.  Remember a while back when I asked you to nominate products for the RMB Eat In South African produce awards?  Well, the nominations were considered, the judges made their decisions, and the winners have been announced!  The awards were created in 2006 by Eat In magazine to recognise independent producers and retailers whose integrity, care for the environment, passion and innovation are putting South Africa on the international food map.  The winners in 16 categories were announced on 3 September at a ceremony in Cape Town and there are loads that I can't wait to try!  The prestigious Best New Product aware went to Buffalo Ridge Mozzarella di Bufala.  Buffalo Ridge is one of only three producers worldwide outside Italy to produce authentic buffalo mozzarella, and the judges thought the quality was even better than some imported equivalents!  Makes my heart swell with patriotic pride!

Here is the full list of 2008 winners:

Best New Product: Buffalo Ridge Mozzarella di Bufala

Best New Product runner-up:

Bags of Bites sugar-free choc chip and macadamia biscuits

Innovation Award:

Kitchen Garden Sprouts

Innovation Merit Award:

Soil for Life home gardens

South African Heritage Award:

Fruits of the Karoo Aloe Juices

Best Organic Producer:

Wegraakbosch Farm and Dairy

THE SMALL PRODUCER AWARDS

Bakery (bread):

Trevor Daly’s artisanal wood-fired-oven ciabatta (at the Neighbourhoods Market in Cape Town)

Bakery (cakes, pastries and biscuits):

Jardine Bakery’s braised pork belly and apple pie

Cheese:

Dalewood Fromage’s six-month matured Huguenot

Earth:

Earth Apples’ range of gourmet potatoes

Grocery and Condiments:

Quality Pickles’s range of chutneys, sauces and pickles

Paddock (fresh and prepared):

Dargle Valley’s bacon, pork cocktail sausages, pork pies and fresh rib-eye steak

OUTSTANDING OUTLETS

North:

Braeside Meat Market, Johannesburg

South:

Main Ingredient Gourmet Food, Cape Town

East:

Everfresh, La Lucia, Durban

BEST MARKETS

North:

Pretoria Boeremark

South:

Neighbourgoods Market, Cape Town

East:

Shongweni Farmers’ Market, KZN

So there you have it – the best of the best of our local small producers and retailers.  If, unlike me, you are currently in South Africa, please make every effort to support them.  And remember to start thinking about who you want to nominate in next year's awards