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11 December 2009
Olives NZ Sensory Panel
I am very pleased to inform the Olives New Zealand Executive and Members that the IOC has announced the results of the exams for 2009. For the fifth consecutive year the panel has passed and therefore has IOC recognition until October 2010.
As well as having to pass the exams, the panel must also satisfy the IOC that it is the "official" panel for tasting olive oil in New Zealand. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade provided the documentation for this which, was accepted by the IOC.
The panelists are very grateful for the support of the Sensory Team at Plant and Food Research and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in helping the panel achieve this recognition.
Margaret Edwards
Panel Leader
7 November 2009
Obituary - Sir Don Beaven
A pioneer with vision has been lost to our industry…
With sadness we read today the events over the past 24-hours that identified the person taken tragically on the Banks Peninsula in a house fire was our great friend Sir Don Beaven.
I am sure you all will appreciate the tremendous energy and support Sir Don gave to the olive industry in Canterbury and New Zealand over the past 15-years. It was Don’s dedication and commitment that lead our industry to establish the understanding of the health benefits and quality in New Zealand produced extra virgin olive oils that today command respect on the international stage.
Sir Don’s vision established the first tasting panel based in Canterbury when through his connections invited parties from Italy to share with him the enthusiasm others had in the establishment of an olive industry in this country.
It has been widely communicated of Sir Don’s activities in the area of health and the life-long dedication to the research into diabetes on a worldwide front along with the establishment of the wine industry in this country.
I must add they have forgotten to report on Sir Don’s passion for olives with his energies supporting the establishment of the olive industry in this country.
Through Sir Don’s efforts he was one of the first to establish an olive grove in Canterbury and later worked with company Syft Technologies in developing instrumental technology in sensory analysis of extra virgin olive oil. This initial research has lead Syft into other areas of research.
Sir Don’s wisdom has been shared with many olive growers throughout New Zealand and especially Canterbury where he has provided tremendous support to all that have elected to quiz him on his experiences.
Both Sir Don and Lady Gillian supported the olive industry in Canterbury and their dedication in tendering to their small grove in Little Akaloa that produced a small quantity of fruit on an annual basis resulted in keen followers arriving for an annual outing to undertake the harvest.
These included those having worked with Sir Don in the field of diabetes research and speak volumes for the commitment shown towards his efforts in this field. The resulting olive oil was shared between those dedicated parties that followed Sir Don to the annual ritual of harvesting and presenting the olives to the processing company.
Sir Don’s dedication to his olive grove in Little Akaloa may have been unknown to many, but, at his age we must all admire him for his commitment in meticulously tendering to his patch. For me, it is a sad way to learn of Sir Don’s passing and not now having a call from him and letters offering support and encouragement will be sadly missed.
It was only last month Sir Don and Lady Gillian attended our annual general meeting with Sir Don rising before the gathering to endorse the efforts of Margaret Edwards who has withdrawn her services from the industry.
Sir Don always showed passion for those who supported the well being of others and for us all we will sorely miss his contribution at our field days and meetings.
For me, and I am sure for all our members, this is a sad way for anyone to end ones life knowing their work in many fields is unfinished.
To Lady Gillian – on behalf of all the members of Olives New Zealand Inc – Canterbury Branch, we extend our deepest sympathies to you and Sir Don’s immediate family at the sad way in which he was taken from us all.
Ian Manson
Chair - Olives NZ Canterbury
4 November 2009
New Zealand Gourmet Oil Competition
On Monday 2 November, judges from around the country tasted 53 oils from 35 producers at the New Zealand Gourmet Oil Competition. They awarded 4 Gold Medals, 11 Silver Medals and 21 Bronze Medals.
Creekside – Koroneiki (Extra Virgin Olive Oil), produced by Creekside Olive Estate in Marlborough, was voted by judges as Best in Show. Creekside will receive the Best in Show Trophy and a 12 month subscription to Australian & New Zealand Olivegrower & Processor plus a 2009 Australian and New Zealand Olive Industry Directory thanks to Ryan Publications.
Extra virgin olive oils from around the country earned top spots in the competition. Creekside – Koroneiki was also awarded the Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the Best Walnut Oil went to Uncle Joes, Marlborough.
The competition celebrates the success, quality and variety of New Zealand’s gourmet oils and was judged by food industry professionals including Cuisine Magazine Deputy Food Editor Ginny Grant, Senior CPIT Tutor of Professional Cookery Bill Bryce, Sam Marchant and Jamie Bennett of Christchurch Farmers Market plus leading chefs and industry identities Chris Fortune, Jonny Schwass, Michal Haines and Ngaire Baker.
Judging was completed in blind tastings by flights. “Judges like consumers are quick to separate what they like and do not like. Taste does not require a degree in scientific analysis but the ability to look for good flavours and aromas that New Zealand is famed for roducing”, added Fortune.
Judges agreed that the standard of olive oils has improved and is consistently higher through the various categories although there were fewer stand out oils. “The best oils had excellent bouquet and flavour, were well balanced and had lingering finishes. The Best in Show was a delight with its wonderful aroma, light flavours and rounded finish,” commented Grant.
The New Zealand Gourmet Oil Competition is run by the Canterbury A&P Association and all medal winning oils entered in the competition will be on display at the Royal New Zealand Show in Christchurch.
The Royal New Zealand Show runs from 11-13 November at Canterbury Agricultural Park
Christchurch. Attracting 120,000 people, over 7000 livestock and feature competition entries and close to 600 trade exhibitors, plus three full days of entertainment, it is the premier agricultural and pastoral event in the country.
The full results may be viewed by clicking here.
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