- 1 July 2024
- The Vegan Society
The fourth annual Vegan Cheese Awards are underway, with judging to take place on 29th July at Khu Khu restaurant in Ponsonby. The world of plant-based cheeses has come a long way this decade, with the New Zealand sector seeing a boom in new companies and new products. Showcasing the best on offer throughout Aotearoa, the awards are open to any manufacturer who is selling vegan cheese in New Zealand.
“There is a huge range and diversity in plant-based cheeses, from artisanal nut and seed-based cheeses, using traditional cheesemaking techniques, to large volume, large taste blocks of cheese from feta to cheddar. Grated, sliced or wholesale: the options are endless.” Claire Insley, Vegan Society media spokesperson notes.
This year’s awards feature a newcomer, professional international cheese judge Franco Sessa, who with over 25 years of experience is keen to try his palate out with plant-based cheeses. Also judging are the award favourite experts, multi-award-winning executive chef & trainer, Jasbir “Jazz” Kaur and food and beverage industry judge Aaron Pucci. They are joined by sausage and cheese loving, vegan comedian, Tom Sainsbury.
There are new categories added to the award line up this year. Cheese Spreads and, as with the Sausage and Deli Meat Awards, an Innovation category, for the best tasting, most intriguing, vegan cheese.
The complete list of categories to enter are:
Commercial Cheddar
Commercial Flavoured Cheddar
Artisan (cheddar, gouda, hard cheese etc)
Mozzarella
Feta
Cream Cheese (plain)
Cream Cheese (flavoured)
Soft Cheese (ricotta, chevre, cottage cheese etc)
Flavoured Cheese Board (herb, cumin, etc)
Brie, Camembert and Blue style
Cheese Spreads
Innovation Category
The plant-based cheese market continues to grow, as people are seeking kinder, healthier, less polluting, more environmentally friendly alternatives.
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Meet the 2024 Awards Judges
Aaron Pucci has clocked up 25 years in the food and beverage manufacturing industry.
His trusted palate has earned him numerous seats on judging panels for awards in New Zealand and Australia over 15 years.
Aaron is always on the lookout for new brands and products ~ especially those that are breaking new ground.
Aaron’s ‘food for thought’ is a desire for more manufacturers to take up the challenge of sustainable food operations and reducing their carbon footprint.
Multi-award-winning executive chef & trainer, TV personality, creative head and chef of the new series “Ignite the Chef in You” and President of the NZ Chef Association Auckland, Chef Jazz is an external verifier for City and Guilds, UK.
She has been judging in New Zealand’s Regional and National culinary salon competitions for the past nine years and is deputy chief judge for the Hospitality Championships.
She has worked in top hotels and restaurants in five countries – USA, UK, India, New Zealand and Spain.
Tom is a comedian, actor and writer best known for his skits on social media. But he is also a huge animal lover, a vegan for many years, and consumes a lot of food. He’s very excited to be giving his opinion.
Franco is a turophile with 24 years experience in the New Zealand specialty cheese industry.
His work spans from large corporates to small artisan cheese boutiques, managing cheese making, procurement, supply chain, sales, marketing, export and executive management. Franco is a professional international cheese judge and recently he was appointed New Zealand Ambassador for the International Cheese and Dairy Award UK. His Company, The Grand Gourmand Limited, is the only New Zealand accredited trainer provider for the Academy of Cheese (UK). Franco is also the Gardening Editor for Mindfood magazine and he is a prolific writer and contributor.