CHEESE IS THE TOAST OF THE TOWN AT THE EAT IN RMB PRIVATE BANK SA AWARDS

Buffalo Ridge's Mozzarella di Bufala has won the prestigious overall prize of best new product in the third annual Eat In RMB Private Bank South African Produce Awards. The awards were created by Eat In magazine to recognise independent producers and retailers whose integrity, care for the environment, passion and innovation are putting South Africa on the international food map.

Winners, across 16 delicious categories, were announced on Wednesday, 3 September at the Old Biscuit Mill, a Cape Town hot spot that hosts the trendy Neighbourgoods Market every Saturday.

The bumper new issue of Eat In was also launched at the event. Published annually by New Media Publishing, Eat In is South Africa's only comprehensive food directory and lists over 770 of the country's best food shops, along with loads of great cooking tips, recipes and ideas. 'It's fabulously useful,' enthuses editor Justine Drake, whose team of foodies left no scone unturned in their quest to celebrate the finest fare available locally. 'Looking for fig paté, organic lamb or drunken pecorino? Eat In shows you where to find it and much more,' she adds.

The growing interest in the quality and provenance of food was made evident by the hundreds of nominations that flooded in from the public for the Eat In RMB Private Bank South African Produce Awards. "We are very excited to have been involved with this initiative since it's inception and are thrilled at how the awards and produce industry has grown over the last three years. Together with Eat In, we are committed to celebrating outstanding South African producers for their contribution to our uniquely South African food culture", says Nici Brits, Head of RMB Private Bank Regions.

Food experts Michelle Barry, Peter Goffe-Wood and Anna Trapido were among the judges who assisted Eat In editor Justine Drake, and after much tasting and debating the winners were selected.

Judges' Comments
Best New Product 2008: Buffalo Ridge Mozzarella di Bufala
Once an advocate, Wayne Rademeyer gave up his starched collar to become the first producer of authentic buffalo mozzarella in the country. After importing 24 water buffalo ewes from Australia, Wayne and his wife Michelle jetted off to Italy to learn the tricks of the mozzarella trade. On the judging day, the votes were unanimous that Wayne should be honoured for his guts and innovation, with each of the judges tearing off piece after piece of the milky cheese. Judge Anna Trapido was blown away by the buffalo mozzarella's subtle, classic flavour and Peter Goffe-Wood concurred, saying, 'The quality of Wayne's mozzarella surpasses even that of many imported equivalents.'

Innovation Award 2008: Kitchen Garden Sprouts
Horticulturist Joseph Feigelson calls his sprout business a 'micro indoor hydroponic home food production system', but really it's a lot simpler than that: think more along the lines of those primary school projects where you cultivated beans in cotton wool next to the kitchen sink. Which is exactly how Kitchen Garden Sprouts came about. The judging panel was not only wowed by the variety of Joseph's sprouts but also his sense of innovation - coming up with such a seemingly simple solution for an economic and nutritional problem - and a tasty one at that. 'This guy should definitely win,' said Peter Goffe-Wood vehemently. 'He's got an absolutely amazing range.'

Heritage Award 2008: Fruits of the Karoo Aloe Juices
André du Plessis had stumbled upon a gold mine after he managed to take the bite out of the bitter aloe ferox and transform it into an easy-drinking, healthy range of juices. Having been at the helm of the company African Aloe since 1995, André has done his bit to preserve the culturally rich heritage of the aloe ferox plant. Apart from the refreshing taste, the judges were swayed by the fact that the beverages are free of additives and made using only aloe gel, fruit juices and natural sweetener. 'I like the fact that it isn't sickly sweet,' said Justine Drake. 'This would definitely make a great sundowner combined with a bit of gin,' added Anna Trapido.

Best Organic Producer 2008: Wegraakbosch Farm and Dairy
Just before Nipper Thompson was to take over the reigns of the farm from his dad Clifford, he spent a short holiday in Switzerland with his Swiss wife Sylvia and learned the art of cheese-making at an alpine dairy on the Wandel Alp. Nipper returned to his farm in 1986 and built a dairy very much like the one he'd seen in the Alps. Nipper's passion for Swiss cheese is evident upon the first taste of the range of delectable, creamy products, ranging from the slightly sharp emmenthaler to the buttery havarti. His conviction that a true Swiss cheese must be completely man-made without a machine in sight, and the lengths he's gone to to make his dairy organic, is what impressed the judges the most. 'It takes a lot of initiative to go organic,' said Justine Drake. Anna Trapido concurred saying, 'They're terribly clever these cheese people.'

Eat In 2009 will be on sale for R39.95 at Pick 'n' Pay, CNA, Woolworths, Spar, Exclusive Books, selected delis and food markets until the end of December 2008.

About the judges


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The 2006 winners
The 2007 winners