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.
I am interested to find out more about the winners.
Do you have their website addresses or how to contact them as I would be interested in selling their products in our upmarket deli in Strand?
Thank you for making those beautiful pictures again.
Hi Carolina, all the details about the winners are published in the Eat IN magazine which will be on shelves from you today.
I didn’t even see you there! Hope you had a fun weekend 🙂
Thanks Sam. I am going to buy one.
Thank for posting those pictures of our kale chips. I was quite gob-smacked when they announced us.
If anyone would like to purchase these, you can find us on earthshine.co.za for more info.
Thanks for a great blog!
Hi Tandy, tried to find you after the awards but you were gone 🙂