Salmon, beer, olive oil and liqueurs are amongst the products of five Australian and New Zealand companies that have made it to the winners list of the international competition that awards products for their superior culinary taste. New Zealand King Salmon was one of the big performers with all six of the company’s products submitted for the annual International Taste & Quality Institute (iTQi) Superior Taste Awards gaining either the top three star or two star rating.

Also amongst the winners were Australian companies Alfa Honey Fruits, Bluetongue Brewery and the Mitolo Group.

The annual Brussels based awards judged by a panel of international chefs and sommeliers. In the Superior Taste Award products are blind tested solely on their own merit (not compared). The focus is on the intensity of gustatory pleasures. Criteria scored are first impression, appearance, aroma, texture, flavour and retro-olfaction and are commented on by each judge.

Judges are picked from a selection of 12 most prestigious culinary and sommeliers associations in Europe.

Local winners:

• Three stars New Zealand King Salmon — Regal Hot Smoked Salmon –Natural; Hot Smoked Mixed Peppers & Spices.
• Two stars New Zealand King Salmon — Southern Ocean Cold Smoked Sliced Salmon; Seasmoke Cold Smoked Sliced Salmon; Regal salmon caviar; Regal fresh fillets. Alfa Honey-Fruits Australia — Rare Australian Eucalyptus Honey Bluetongue Brewery — Bluetongue Premium Light Mitolo Group — Ollo Mild & Mellow Extra Virgin Olive Oil; Ollo Fresh & Fruity Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tamborine Mountain Distillery — TMD Kurumba! Rum Liqueur
• One star Bluetongue Brewery —Bluetongue Premium Lager Tamborine Mountain Distillery — TMD Bucku Whiskey Liqueur; TMD Strawberry Liqueur.