More than 160 people gathered at Auckland’s Villa Maria Estate last night, to find out who made the cut for the 2016 New Zealand Food Awards, in association with Massey University. Sixty-five products developed by 63 companies have been named as finalists this year.   Competition stepped up a notch, with product entries up 62 per cent on last year; a record for the long withstanding and prestigious awards.  Finalists, from niche operators to large-scale food and beverage manufacturers, will compete to take out the top spot in various categories including the popular Artisan Food Producer Award, BITE Gourmet Award and the Export Innovation Award, as well as the ultimate accolade of the Massey University Supreme Award.

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