CUISINE ARTISAN AWARDS WINNER
MT COOK ALPINE SALMON / IKURA CAVIAR (FROZEN)
‘REARED FOR ROE’ is the tagline David Galbraith, Senior Innovation Manager at Mt Cook Alpine Salmon, has been using for the past couple of years. It’s a simple phrase that speaks of the purpose and precision behind one of the company’s most remarkable products, Ikura Caviar, now winner of the Cuisine Artisan Award at the New Zealand Food Awards 2026.
Quality begins with the roe itself. Mt Cook Alpine Salmon is the only producer in New Zealand rearing salmon specifically for roe production, allowing the team close control over the fish’s quality and maturity right through to harvest. When it comes to caviar, timing is everything, as the maturity of the roe has a direct influence on its texture and eating quality, making careful monitoring and harvesting essential. From there, the focus turns to the cure. Traditionally, ikura is cured with soy, sake and mirin, but the team at Mt Cook Alpine Salmon wanted to create an expression that celebrates premium New Zealand ingredients while remaining true to those Japanese techniques. The partnership with Queenstown sake producer Zenkuro was a natural fit, resulting in a carefully balanced combination of soy, mirin, Zenkuro sake and salt, to enhance rather than overwhelm the roe’s naturally delicate flavour.
For David, the award acknowledges much more than what ends up in the jar. “It’s a product that’s gone through every single stage of the business, right through from hatchery to farming to processing to sales and marketing. It’s actually a really big combined effort to get to where we’ve got. The credit needs to be given to the entire team of the business, not just the ones that do the last little bit. It’s just an all-round team effort and it gives you a really good feeling,” he says. That sense of collective achievement is fitting for a product that has found a distinctly premium place in the market. Its primary customers are high-end hospitality businesses such as chefs, restaurants, caterers and premium foodservice operators. “Right now, we can’t make enough of it. For the last couple of years, we haven’t even reached Christmas and it’s sold out,” says David. The Massey University New Zealand Food Awards Artisan Category win is more than accolade; it is recognition of the collective care and New Zealand ingenuity that goes into every jar. MIA BENNETT
This year’s New Zealand Food Awards finalists are a lovely range of products that celebrate local ingredients, from products in the purest form – such as crayfish, harvested and delivered to the customer at its freshest – to added-value items such as crepe cake that captures the essence of New Zealand cream. Each winner has shown true artisanal skill and passion in their products. Many make wonderful gifts, while others make it simple to serve great food for a seasonal celebration.
MT COOK ALPINE SALMON / IKURA CAVIAR (FROZEN)
Ikura caviar is a taste of luxury, reared right here in New Zealand. Made from premium freshwater salmon roe reared specifically for caviar, it’s cured with Yamasa shoyu, the sweetness of mirin and the soft umami of Zenkuro sake for a balanced briny flavour and the signature ‘pop’ texture. $54.90 for 90g. alpinesalmon.co.nz
ALIGN FOODS / RE PROBIOTIC YOGHURT NATURAL
A probiotic yoghurt made from whole milk sourced exclusively from a single regeneratively farmed Canterbury property, and third-party certified by EOV and Land to Market. Rich and creamy with a beautiful tang, it has a smooth, thick texture and natural flavour that works equally well in sweet or savoury dishes. $8.89 for 800g. redairy.nz
BE HAPPY CHOCOLATE / VEGAN WHITE CHOCOLATE
A deliciously indulgent vegan white chocolate with impressive depth of flavour and a beautifully smooth texture with caramelised notes that add richness. Its thoughtful ingredients make it an appealing choice for chocolate lovers seeking a more ethical, inclusive alternative. $13.50 for 85g. behappychocolate.com
FUKUROU PÂTISSERIE / FRENCH VANILLA MILLE CREPE CAKE
French Vanilla Mille Crepe Cake features 18+ delicate paper-thin crepes, impressively sandwiched with silky vanilla diplomat cream to build the layers and texture. Topped with a perfectly caramelised golden layer, it’s delicate and irresistible. $11 per slice. fukurou.co.nz
KA KĀ WĀ CONFECTIONERY / 70% (CHOCOLATE) CELTIC + NZ SEA SALT WITH KELP
Ka Kā Wā 70% blends rich Pacific cacao with Celtic and New Zealand sea salt and kelp for a bold, umami twist. Crafted in small batches, it delivers savoury, salt-forward complexity, layers of flavour and a satisfying texture, finishing with a beautiful lingering chocolate note. $25 for 115g. kakawa.co.nz
PURE JUICE / VITAMIN C RECHARGE
Vitamin C Recharge blends apple, orange, lemon, carrot, turmeric and ginger into a naturally bold, vibrant juice with a colour that stands out instantly. Locally sourced, citrus-forward and smooth, it’s a cold-pressed blend that delivers brightness and energy. $12 for 250ml. purejuicenz.com
TASTE OF THE ALPS / THE SOJOURNER, SICHUAN PICKLED CENTRAL OTAGO CHERRIES
The Sojourner is a savoury preserved whole cherry product made from Central Otago cherries handpicked from a Cromwell orchard and infused with Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon, black pepper and orange peel. $17 for 440g. taste-of-the-alps.co.nz
THE WILD FERMENTARY / TROPICAL KIMCHI
A delicious twist on tradition, this kimchi has a vibrant colour, enticing aroma and a lovely balance of sweet and savoury flavour. Fermented cabbage, pineapple, turmeric root and chilli create a tangy, sweet, umami flavour. Naturally fermented, it is rich in lactic acid bacteria and handcrafted using surplus ripe pineapple otherwise lost from the food system. $14.99 for 380g. thewildfermentary.co.nz
TORA COLLECTIVE / CAUGHT-TO- ORDER WILD CRAYFISH
Tora Collective Caught-to-Order Wild Crayfish is premium wild-caught seafood harvested from New Zealand’s remote Tora Coast. It’s beautifully sweet and fresh, with delicate ocean notes that reflect the care behind the catch. Harvested directly to order during the season, it’s delivered live in about 24 hours of being underwater, in compostable packaging including seawater ice packs and seaweed. From $82. toracollective.co.nz
WILDLY DELICIOUS / JALAPEÑO & GREEN PEPPER KRAUT
A vibrant, raw fermented kraut with a great aroma of jalapeño and green pepper. Well-balanced and layered, it delivers clean, fresh flavour with gentle heat, while the crisp cut of the vegetables provides a satisfying crunch. A flavour-packed artisan product that delivers exactly what its name promises. $15.75 for 380g. wildly.co.nz
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