“The Greek” Vegan Feta is Supreme Winner

The Supreme Winner of the fourth Vegan Society of Aotearoa Vegan Cheese Awards was “The Greek”, a delicious feta from One Love Planet, a relative newcomer to the awards. The judges were particularly impressed with the bold savoury and well balanced flavour of this delicious vegan version of a Greek favourite. With a great lemony and garlic taste, this vegan cheese was truly supreme.

With the continued interest and growth of the vegan cheese market in New Zealand, the awards had more entries than ever, with companies from all over Aotearoa competing across twelve different categories. The judges had a tough job in hand but were fortunate to be joined by expert cheese judge Franco Sessa.

His 25 years of experience in international cheese judging ensured a high standard was maintained across the categories. Also judging were the award favourite experts, multi-award-winning executive chef & trainer, Jasbir “Jazz” Kaur and food and beverage industry judge, Aaron Pucci. They were joined by sausage and cheese loving, vegan comedian, Tom Sainsbury.

“We were very impressed with the range of cheeses provided, proving that the world of plant-based cheese is going from strength to strength,” said media spokesperson Claire Insley. “We present these food awards to showcase the best of vegan food produce available throughout Aotearoa and this year’s Cheese Awards were exceptional”

There were two new categories added to the awards for this year, Cheese Spreads and an Innovation category, for the most interesting, unusual ingredients used. All the entries are available in New Zealand.

The full list of winners are:

Supreme Winner

One Love Planet’s ‘The Greek’ Vegan Feta

Commercial Cheddar 

Winner: Zenzo ‘Cheddar’

Judges said; great moreish texture. Signature ascetic complex flavour. Perfect on your burger.

Runner up: Angel Food ‘Cheddar’

Judges said; buttery and rich with nutty flavour and a smooth finish

Commercial Cheddar Flavoured

Winner: Epic ‘Garlic and Chives’

Judges said; creamy texture. Balanced flavour and taste profile. 

Runner up: Epic ‘Hickory Smoke Cheddar’

Judges said; really great after taste. Good appearance.

Artisan

Winner: One Love Planet ‘Karmasan’

Judges said; deliciously salty. Great taste profile which would go well on a cracker. Very good addition to a cheese board. Versatile to use.

Runner up: Sonntag ‘Smoked Gouda Style’

Judges said; wonderful creamy mouth feel. Good after taste. A lovely savoury taste profile.

Cream Cheese Plain

Winner: Angel Food 

Judges said; perfect on your bagel. Clean spreadability. Lactic flavour combined to roast nut finish.

Runner up: Nu Dairy

Judges said; firm cream cheese with good lingering flavour.

Cream Cheese Flavoured

Winner: One Love Planet ‘Chevie Black Pepper and Dill’

Judges said; firm body with creamy finish, balanced by herbs and fresh acidity.

Runner up: Sonntag ‘Zesty’

Judges said; Easy to spread, citrus and freshly crackled pepper notes

Soft Cheese 

Winner: Nu Dairy ‘Marscapone’

Judges said; smooth, creamy and sweet with a clean finish. A versatile ingredient and perfect in a tiramisu.

Runner up: Savour ‘Ash’

Judges said; clean flavour commanding presentation. A hero of the cheese board.

Flavoured Cheese

Winner: Sonntag ‘Truffle Pepper Cheese Board’

Judges said; very earthy balanced flavour. Melt in your mouth smooth texture. Truffle flavour is not overpowering.

Runner up: Sonntag ‘Cumin seed’

Judges said; perfect balance of flavour. Lovely nutty cumin flavour.

Brie, Camembert and Blue

Winner: One Love Planet ‘Bohemian Blue’

Judges said; nice, bold, sharp taste. Innovative creativity. Unique.

Runner up: One Love Planet ‘To Brie or Not to Brie’

Judges said; sharp unique flavour profile. Creamy mouth feel. Nice aftertaste. Great for dessert.

Mozzarella 

Winner: Nu Dairy

Judges said; melts really well. Creamy on the palate. Good colour, great stretchiness. Complementary flavour blending itself well to a pizza.

Runner up: Epic

Judges said; really nice buttery taste. Looked good and melted well.

Innovation  

Winner: Savour ‘Cashesan’

Judges said; sharp and savoury. Good crumbly consistency. Could be used on various things to add texture and flavour.

Runner up: One Love Planet ‘The Big Cheese’

Judges said; Very innovative. Very versatile; used as a dip with vegies, as a dressing, used as a white sauce etc.

Feta

Winner: One Love Planet ‘The Greek’

Judges said; well balanced, bold savoury flavour. Really creamy and great on  cheese board. True to its name, plus lemony and garlicky.

Runner up: Epic ‘Rosemary and Garlic”

Judges said; unique taste profile. Strong flavour.

Cheese Spreads

Winner: Let Them Eat Vegan ‘Cheddar Spread’

Judges said; luscious flavour and balanced Miami flavours with a creamy finish

Runner up: Savour ‘Mint’

Judges said; interesting and engaging mint flavour. Ethereal texture.