Some of our partners that are helping make the 2022 event a success
World Food Awards
Timeline for 2022 event
Early bird entry fee R1050 excluding VAT (approximately USD108 or EUR93) from 8 March until 28 June 2022
Early bird entry price ends, and the regular entry fee of R1375 excluding VAT (approximately USD108 or EUR93) applies from 29 June to 2 August 2022
Final entries close
Final delivery of samples to Stellenbosch, South Africa
Products that did extremely well during the 2021 event
About the 2022 Event
The Aurora International Taste Challenge was established to recognise and award food and drinks excellence internationally while helping consumers purchase award-winning, expertly rated products with confidence. The Aurora International Taste Challenge 2022 will be held in South Africa to celebrate and honour universal food quality.
While many consumers are brand loyal, most would pick another product if they were provided with fair ratings on alternative products. Some people may be willing to invest in either cheaper or more costly choices, depending on their personal preference, and the quality awards that are conferred during this event would significantly enhance their perception of these products.
The Aurora Taste Challenge will award merit and trophy awards to exceptional products available worldwide. We are proud to be setting new industry standards.
Non-alcoholic drinks evaluated will include many categories, including:
- Water – both Flavoured and Unflavoured
- Drinks to be prepared (concentrate, powder etc.)
- Kombucha
- Kefir Water
- All kinds of non-alcoholic drinks
Alcoholic categories evaluated will include among many others:
- Table Olives
- Olive Oil
- Coffee
- Meat products
- Dairy products
- Sauces, dressing and condiments incl balsamic vinegar and soy sauce
In 2022 the following new categories will be included.
- Tea
- Convenience Food
- Baked Goods (both premixed for preparation and baked) and confectionary
- Snacks
- Chocolate
- Preserves, Spreads, Honey and Syrups
- Salt, herbs, spices, Dukkah and mixtures
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Why should you enter?
Winners of The Aurora International Taste Challenge will enjoy bragging rights and will be able display their award artwork in their tasting room, in email signatures, on the product itself, as well as in digital and print media, all royalty-free.
Superior products will be granted Silver, Gold and Double Gold status to reward excellent quality. Exceptional products that exceed expectations will be eligible for Trophy awards. Besides the normal technical criteria used during judging, the wow factor and a reading on the judge’s hedonic scale of enjoyment will be taken into account.
Winning producers will be able to display award artwork on the product itself, in digital media, and in print media for a period of one year from when the awards are granted. Winners will receive a digital award artwork kit with all permutations of the artwork related to the award received and will be able to use the artwork subject to a non-exclusive licence agreement. No royalties are charged.
Stickers for silver, gold and double gold awards will be available for purchase by the winners. A one-time print run will be done, and extra stickers will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. You do not have to order stickers.
To ensure quality control, winners may not print their own stickers, and stickers can only be purchased from the organisers.
Here is a close approximation of what the 25 x 25 mm stickers look like.
Here are some examples of the award artwork. Colours can be adjusted to suit packaging. No physical trophies or awards are awarded.
Winning producers will be able to display award artwork on the product itself, in digital media, and in print media for a period of one year from when the awards are granted. Winners will receive a digital award artwork kit with all permutations of the artwork related to the award received, and will be able to use the artwork subject to a non-exclusive licence agreement. No royalties are charged.
The award artwork can be used where very little space as available, and artwork with detail more appropriate to smaller areas. No physical trophies or awards are awarded.
By winning an award you will ensure that your product is discovered, or rediscovered in a blind tasting, without bias or prejudice.
We are proud to be partnering with several companies to make the 2022 Aurora International Taste Challenge a big success.
Overview of categories
Wine
In addition to the many food products awarded in the Aurora International Taste Challenge, this year’s event will also be awarding wines from around the world.
Beer, Cider and Mead
In addition to the many food products awarded in the Aurora International Taste Challenge, this year’s contest will also be awarding superior beer, cider and mead.
Spirits and Liqueur
Besides the normal technical criteria used during judging, a wow factor and a score on the judges’ hedonic scale of enjoyment will be taken into account. Judges will place themselves into the shoes of the consumer, whatever their age may be.
Non-alcoholic as well as alcoholic drinks
Besides the normal technical criteria used during judging, a wow factor and a score on the judges’ hedonic scale of enjoyment will be taken into account. Judges will place themselves into the shoes of the consumer, whatever their age may be.
Olives and Olive Oil
Olives and Olive oil will be judged by food industry professionals. The goal is to identify and award the best-tasting products available to consumers.
Dairy
Dairy products from around the world will be judged in South Africa by sommeliers, chefs, and food industry professionals. The goal is to identify and award the best-tasting products available to consumers.
Condiments and Sauces
This year is the first year that condiments and sauces will be assessed in South Africa by chefs, and food industry professionals. The goal is to identify and award the best-tasting products available to consumers.
Dry Seasoning including salt, herbs, spcies and mixes
This year is the first year dry seasoning preparations will be assessed by chefs, and food industry professionals. The goal is to identify and award the best-tasting products available to consumers.
Charcuterie, Sausage, Dried and Cured Meat
Charcuterie, sausage, dried and cured meat will be assessed in South Africa by chefs, and food industry professionals. The goal is to identify and award the best-tasting products available to consumers.
Convenience Food
Convenience food from around the world will be judged by sommeliers, chefs, and food industry professionals. The goal is to identify and award the best-tasting products available to consumers.
Baked Goods
Baked Goods will be assessed by chefs, and food industry professionals. The goal is to identify and award the best-tasting products available to consumers.
Preserves, Pickles, Spreads, Honey and Syrup
Preserves, pickles, spreads, syrup and Honey will be judged by sommeliers, chefs, and food industry professionals. The goal is to identify and award the best-tasting products available to consumers.
Snacks
Snacks will be assessed by chefs, and food industry professionals. The goal is to identify and award the best-tasting products available to consumers.
Chocolate
Chocolate from around the world will be judged by chefs, and food industry professionals. The goal is to identify and award the best-tasting products available to consumers.
Tea
Tea will be assessed by chefs, and food industry professionals. The goal is to identify and award the best-tasting products available to consumers.
Coffee
Coffee from around the world will be judged in South Africa by sommeliers, chefs, and food industry professionals. The goal is to identify and award the best-tasting products available to consumers.
FAQs
What awards are conferred?
Superior products will be granted Silver, Gold and Double Gold awards to recognise products with excellent taste. These producers will be able to display this award artwork on the product itself, in digital and in print media for a period of one year from when the awards are granted, as long as the quality of the product does not change from that of the original sample, and dependent on the terms of a non-exclusive licence agreement.
Trophy awards will also be conferred on products that are truly exceptional and top of their class.
Stickers may be purchased from the organisers, and may not be printed by any other party.
There will be only one print run, and extra stickers will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Entry Fees and dates
- The early bird entry fee is, R1050.00 excluding VAT (approximately USD83 or EUR71) from 8 March 2022 to 28 June 2022.
- The regular entry fee is R1375.00 excluding VAT (approximately USD109 or EUR93) from 29 June 2022, until closing on the 2nd of August 2022
- 2 August 2022 – Entries close
Stickers will be available to the winners at R365.00 excluding VAT per 1000. There will be only one print run, and extra stickers will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Are there any royalties involved?
No royalties are payable.
An electronic certificate will be emailed to the winning participants. Subject to adherence to the terms of the non-exclusive licence agreement, winners will also have a non-exclusive licence to make use of the digital award artwork kit, with various logos and award artwork to use on their product, in email signatures, in digital and in print media for a period of one year from the time the awards are announced. No physical trophies or awards are presented.
For how long can I use the award artwork?
The award artwork may be used on the specific product and brand that was awarded, subject to a non-exclusive licence agreement, for a period of one year, subject to the terms of the non-exclusive license agreement.
Why should I enter my product?
Winning an award will provide content for media coverage, grant bragging rights, and make the market appreciate the great lengths you go to in producing your product. In a world where food and drinks are often considered generic products, an award will set you apart from the competition.
Will the tasting be audited?
The tasting will be audited by an accredited auditing firm to ensure that the judges are not influenced and that the tasting is done blind, and conforms to international standards.
Where should the samples be delivered?
Delivery options and FAQs
Samples must reach the event in Stellenbosch, South Africa in time for evaluation, and there are two options. The first option is for products that are located close by, that will easily be delivered in the two days allocated, and the second is for samples from overseas or far-flung destinations, which require a bigger delivery window.
- This option is ideal where samples are not sent from a far distance, and they will definitely arrive in time.
- 2-day delivery window
- 15-16 August 2022 from 09:00 to 16:00
- Delivered to venue
- Best for cold chain dependent entries and entries from overseas
- 12 days delivery window
- From 1-12 August 2022
- Best to use overnight delivery options to make sure entries arrive during the week, on the days allocated.
- Delivery from 09:00 and 16:00 during weekdays
- Delivered to DHL in Paarl (very close to the venue).
Both options will respect the cold chain from arrival, and delicate chocolates, ice-creams and other temperature-sensitive products will at all times be treated with great care.
Please label all samples on the outside as follows:
- PERISHABLE
- PLEASE KEEP FROZEN
- KEEP REFRIGERATED
- All frozen samples must be shipped in the presence of dry ice.
- Use frozen ice packs when shipping refrigerated samples.
DHL is our preferred delivery solution, and you can read more about them here.
First option (2-day window) - for samples located close to the event
Samples must be delivered between 09:00 and 16:00 on the 15th and 16th of August 2022.
Participants may use any courier, but please ensure that samples are delivered to:
The Aurora International Taste Challenge
C/o Celia Gilloway
The Conference Centre
Klein Joostenberg
R304 Muldersvlei
Koelenhof Road
Stellenbosch
South Africa
The person receiving the samples:
Celia Gilloway
Email:celia@eventsbycelia.com
Tel: 082 782 1977
GPS coordinates: – 33 82’ 66 21 S / 18 79” 55 15 W
Samples must be delivered between 9:00 and 16:00 on the two days allocated.
Second delivery option (12-day delivery window) - for samples arriving from afar
Samples to be delivered between 1-12 August 2022, to DHL Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa. Please bear in mind that 9 August (Tuesday) is a public holiday and samples will not be received on that day.
When sending samples that need to remain at a constant temperature during the cold chain, discuss the appropriate packaging and shipping option with DHL to ensure the products do not arrive over a weekend when no cold chain facilities are available.
Please send samples to:
DHL Paarl
35 Zandwyk Park
Old Paarl Road
Paarl
South Africa
For the attention of The Aurora International Taste Challenge
C/o Marijke Douglas
DHL will consolidate the samples to make sure they are delivered on time.
Products from outside South Africa need the necessary time to clear customs. Also, add the wording: “Samples of no commercial value – for attention The Aurora International Taste Challenge C/o Marijke Douglas”.
DHL, our preferred logistics partner
We have partnered with DHL to allow for timely delivery, and they are our preferred delivery solution.
When making use of DHL, please contact:
Marijke Douglas by email at Marijke.Douglas@dhl.com or phone her on +27 (0)21 872 4717 for more details.
Products that are sent that have to maintain the cold chain, need to be packed accordingly, and the DHL overnight service can be used.
Late entries might not be accepted.
With regard to DHL and overnight delivery, how certain can I be that the sample receives the necessary urgency to deliver on time?
When making use of DHL, please ensure you send your samples to:
DHL Paarl
35 Zandwyk Park
Old Paarl Road
Paarl
South Africa
For the attention of:
The Aurora International Taste Challenge
C/o Marijke Douglas
Make sure you arrange with Marijke by emailing her at Marijke.Douglas@dhl.com or phone her on +27 (0)21 872 4717 to make sure everything will be in order.
For additional information, contact Sanet van Heerden at hello@aurorachallenge.com. This event is managed by Tank Town Promotions (Pty) Ltd.
General FAQs
How many samples do I need to deliver?
If you are on the page of the particular category that you need, you will find the information under FAQs. If you are on another page, just go to the page with the sample information for all products.
Do taxes and customs fees only relate to imports?
Only samples sent from outside of South Africa will accrue taxes, clearance and customs fees.
Do entrants get a reduced-price option through DHL?
Because DHL consolidates deliveries, the prices will be reduced. Make sure you arrange with Marijke on Marijke.Douglas@dhl.com or phone her on +27 (0)21 872 4717 to get the necessary detail.
Overnight deliveries and deliveries from outside of South Africa will be at normal DHL rates.
Will you have a show for people / companies to attend if they are not entering the event?
The Aurora International Taste Challenge is not a trade show or public event. Only the organisers and judges are present.
There is also no prize-giving ceremony or trade / public tasting afterwards.
Rules
Rules vary from category to category, and would be shown on the individual category’s webpage.
