Alexandra’s Peanut Brittle Retro has scored a silver medal in this year’s Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards.

The judges said the snack had a good crunch.

“Feels assured, well made. Lovely peanut and caramel aroma, roasted and toasty flavour,” were the judges’ comments.

Owner Gabby Geddes said she was thrilled to receive the recognition of her gluten free, dairy free and vegan product.

Peanut Brittle Retro was started in July last year after trialling it at Taste Central Otago farmers market.

“I’ve always loved [peanut brittle] and I've tried it all around the world.”

Gabby said it took a lot of trial and error and a few tears and also lots of burnt pots to perfect her unique recipe. 

“I’m batching at the moment and crazily sending off orders.”

Gabby has around 18 stockists from Waitati to Bluff, mostly in small cafes, stores and eateries.

“It’s gone from starting something… and it evolves and it’s fun, supporting small business… there is a community of people doing small things.”

Gabby was also looking forward to visiting her stockists and placing her silver medal stickers on her stock for display.

Two hundred and eighteen medal winners were recognised from across New Zealand in the awards.

Winners produced a vast range of locally harvest, grown and made foods including mushrooms, meat, preserves, drinks, ice cream and sweets. 

Seventy-one per cent of all of the more than 300 entries received an accolade with 78 gold medals, 86 silver medals and 56 bronze medals awarded. 

Head judge Lauraine Jacobs said 2022 has been the most exciting year for the awards to date. 

“Each year has seen not only growth in the number of entries, but the quality of the food products continues to rise and rise in every category.”

Two days of judging involved an expert panel of judges tasting 300 products over two days and there were many squeals of surprise at the incredible flavours and the wide range of innovative and traditional entries. 

“Consumers who seek the very best can be absolutely reassured that any product displaying any of the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards medals are guaranteed to be high quality and more importantly, delicious,” Lauraine said. 

From the awards first year in 2017 each entry has been assessed for sustainability with these marks contributing to the overall score along with tasting points and brand story. 

Sustainability judge Fiona Stephenson said she was impressed with the progression of sustainability over the three years of her involvement. 

“It’s rare now to see an entry where sustainability is not taken seriously, it seems there is genuine commitment to sustainability across almost all the products entered – it’s fantastic to see.”

Gold medal winners  are in the running for the champions round, and will be announced on June 21 in Auckland. The full list of medal winners can be viewed online.