The wait is finally over. On the 17th of March, during a spectacular beer-sozzled night market, the winners of the 2011 SAB Eat In Produce Awards were announced.

To see the fabulous event for yourself, check out our video on YouTube:

Now, without further ado, here follows the list of this year’s top small producers and outlets.

Best New Product: Totally Wild Aloe & Baobab Juice
With a delicious flavour something like a blend of apple and pear, and crammed full of calcium, iron and vitamins, this juice is a clear winner for the Best New Product Award. 

South African Heritage: Enaleni Farm
This KZN farm is preserving our heritage by keeping a herd of Nguni cattle, endangered Zulu sheep, growing rare, local maize varietals and the traditional ibhece melon.

Best Organic Product: Kimilili’s Witzenberger cheese
Made in the Swiss Appenzell tradition, using nothing but cheese cultures, microbial rennet and salt, the tangy, six-month matured Witzenberger had the judges carving off slice after slice.

Small Produce Award: Paddock - Chuck and Bobs
Creating a small range of bacon, salamis and hams, Chuck and Bobs’ produce delighted the judges, as did the small-scale, hands-on way in which they make their charcuterie.

Small Produce Award: Earth - The Drift Farm’s range of organic fruit and veg
Specialising in rare vegetables like black Aztec corn, fingerling aubergines and candy-striped beets, this family-run farm also goes to great lengths to be environmentally friendly.

Small Produce Award: Bakery - The Foodbarn’s ciabatta and rye bread
Made using locally produced stone-ground flour, natural yeast and water, the texture and freshness secured The Foodbarn’s woodfired loaves a place at the top of the bakery list.

Small Produce Award: Dairy - Swissland St Maure cheese
The judges were blown away by the character of Fran Isaac’s fromages; most notably the soft, wood-ash-coated St Maure log, with its slightly salty, nutty taste.

Small Produce Award: Grocery - Quality Pickles’ range of chutneys, atchars and pickles
This home-based kitchen produces 11 delicious sauces and seven stupendous pickles, including fragrant Mebos Chutney, crunchy pickle, and dhania.

Merit Award: The Kitchen Garden sprouts
Joseph Feigelson offers the largest selection of edible sprouts in Africa, and supplies the country's top chefs.

Best Markets and Stores: 

North - Braeside Meat Market and Pretoria Boeremark
The judges commended Braeside for their commitment to sourcing the best, most ethically-reared meat. Owner Caroline McCann shoots her own venison, offers braai classes and is even breeding local turkeys.

Family-friendly Pretoria Boeremark meanwhile, was commended for its warmth, its unaffected charm and its amazing range of fresh farm produce.

South: Get Stuffed Enterprises’ The Real Cheese and Neighbourgoods Market
Valerie Elder's range of South African cheeses is hard to beat and is illustrative of her dedication to our local cheesemaking talents.

Running since 2006, the Neighbourgoods Market has grown into a hub of fabulous produce which has transformed Woodstock into a sought-after foodie destination.

East: Everfresh La Lucia and The Food Market
With the widest range of products, from imported truffles and cheeses to indigenous beans and mfenu, Everfresh La Lucia goes to great lengths to promote fresh, indigenous produce.

Established by Emma Dunk, Nick Papadopoulos, Eric Edwards and Karen Brokensha, The Food Market showcases the most superb produce in KZN.

Central: The Valley Market
In the foothills of the Magaliesberg, The Valley Market show off both the area’s natural bounty and the pioneering artisan produce of its residents. There is even an online box scheme delivering to Joburg.

To learn more about our fabulous winners, check out our awards pages.