The inaugural Fine Food New Zealand was a resounding success, exceeding expected visitor numbers and attracting excellent feedback from every quarter.

A total of 240 satisfied exhibitors served up the best, latest, and most innovative foodservice, food retail, and hospitality products and services to 5734 excited trade visitors over the three days of the show – 15% more than the expected 5000 visitors.

Tim Beck, marketing manager Foodservice, Fonterra Brands New Zealand, said: “Fine Food New Zealand 2010, simply put, was a world-class event, attracting both quality exhibitors and high-value visitors. It showcased the industry professionally, and is a great addition to the foodservice calendar. I look forward to the next event in 2012.”

He was not the only one singing its praises, with Belinda Jeursen, executive officer, Baking Industry Association of New Zealand, saying: “Fine Food was clearly a success for the Baking Industry Association. Our baking competition was a very popular attraction and gave all those who entered the recognition they deserved for their efforts. It was the first time we have judged it live and it went exceptionally well. We met a lot of potential new members for our organisation and were able to showcase our services to a wide variety of traders. There are hundreds more people who know who we are now and the benefits of this kind of exposure will flow on for us long after the show.”

A special feature of Fine Food New Zealand was the inaugural Best New Product Awards, which assessed dozens of new food, beverage, foodservice, and hospitality products against a range of criteria including taste, visual appeal, degree of innovation, functionality, and value.

The winners were as follows:

• Hospitality Magazine Best New Hospitality Equipment Award Arc Distribution’s Slide Control, a silicon seal that stabilises glassware and crockery.

• Food & Beverage Today Best New Hospitality Food or Drink Product Award Waitaki Bacon and Ham’s Pure Pork Sausage.

• Supermarket News Best New Retail Product Award Tasman Bay Food Group’s Nature’s Harvest Organic Cookies.

• Restaurant & Catering News Best New Foodservice Product Award NZ King Salmon’s Frozen Salmon Fillet Portions.

Fine Food New Zealand 2010 organiser Dona White says: “North Port Events and Diversified Exhibitions Australia responded to calls from many sources for a trade show that would provide a truly high-quality, world-class showcase for the food, foodservice, food retail, and hospitality industries. The result has been Fine Food New Zealand 2010.

“The future now looks bright for us to build on this new beginning in the years to come. We’re extremely pleased and grateful to the many great exhibitors who embraced this inaugural event and helped to make it the unequivocal win-win it has been.

“Many thanks to everyone who exhibited or visited Fine Food New Zealand. Your support was the essential ingredient that has ensured the show’s success. We look forward to seeing you and many new participants in 2012.”