the 2012 eat in awards at the slow market in stellenbosch

On Saturday I headed out to the Slowmarket in Stellenbosch for the 2012 Eat In DStv Food Network Produce Awards. I hide my head in shame as I admit this is the first time I have visited this lovely market at Oude Libertas, but it most certainly will not be my last.

I had a quick browse amongst the busy stalls and a delicious bacon and egg sandwich from ‘Flamed’ before the winners were announced by Anelde Greeff, editor of Eat In magazine.

Anelde said: “This year we were amazed once again at the talent that South Africa’s small producers have to offer. The judges were inundated with excellent produce and beautiful behind-the-scenes stories from across the country, but it was the passion, innovation and exceptional taste of the 18 winners that really stood out.”

With 15 categories, from Best New Product to Best Market, nominees were judged  by Anelde Greeff, Anna Trapido, Abigail Donnelly, Pete Goffe-Wood, Jackie Cameron and Deon van Wyk. Nominees were judged on a set of criteria per category but overall aspects such as taste,appearance, aroma, innovation and care for the environment were taken into account

2012’s winners are:

Category	Winner:
Best Outlets	South: Ocean’s EdgeEast: Piggly WigglyNorth: Braeside Butchery
Best Markets	South: Wild OatsEast: The Food MarketNorth: Pretoria Boeremark
Best New Product	Karma jams
Innovation Award	Earthshine’s Kale chips
Small producer Confectionery	Sweet Temptations toffee
Small producer Grocery	Quality pickles
Small producer Bakery	Oude Bank Bakkerij
Small producer Earth	Boon Hill salad leaves
Small producer Dairy/cheese	Buffalo Ridge (most notably the feta and ricotta)
Small producer Dairy/other	Jenny’s clotted cream
Small producer Paddock	Dargle Duck
Organic/Free-range award	Croft chicken
Heritage award	Rozendal vinegar
Best local food blog	Nina Timm’s My easy cooking

There were some fantastic nominees and I luckily got to chat to a few of the winners and sample their wares.

The Kale chips from Earthshine was one of the winning products stood out for me.

Who would have thought that dehydrate kale leaves could taste this good.  On the plus side: totally delicious, healthy and moreish (I sampled the cheezey herb), on the down side: a bit expensive as a 40g packet literally dissipates in your mouth as you eat it leaving you wanting more.

I also bought a jar of Karma Pear Jam with Pinotage and Rosemary and cant wait to try this. Sitting next to two of the judges Jackie Cameron and Anna Trapido and listening to them rave about these preserves, I simply had to pick up a jar.  The small home industry business in the Eastern Free State Karma Home Products make a range of berry jams, jellies, marmalade and fruit preserves from local and seasonal fruit.  Their products are cooked in small batches without using any preservatives or stabilisers, thus ensuring a home made flavour.

All the pictures of the market are up on my Drizzle and Dip Face Book page

More detailed information is available on each of the winners in the 2012 eat In magazine which will be on shelf from today.