
Early bird entry fee R990 excluding VAT (approximately USD76 or EUR66) from 16 March until 7 June 2021
To learn more about the 2020 event for this link here.
The Aurora International Taste Challenge was established to recognise and award food product excellence, while helping consumers purchase award-winning, scientifically rated products with confidence. The Aurora International Taste Challenge 2021 will be held in South Africa to celebrate and honour universal food quality.
This year, water of all types will be judged and awarded, as well as beer and cider, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Our judges will include a cherry-picked lineup of sommeliers and other food industry professionals.
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 conferrred during this competition would significantly enhance their perception of these products.
The Aurora Taste Challenge will grant merit and trophy awards to exceptional products available worldwide. We are proud to be setting new industry standards.
Non-alcoholic drinks judged this year will be:
Alcoholic categories that will be judged include:
This year dairy products will be judged in sub categories according to the following categories:
This year will also be the first to feature the evaluation of different Condiments and Sauces.
Superior products will be awarded silver, gold and double gold awards, to award products with excellent taste. These products will be able to display their award artwork on packaging, in email signatures, and in digital and in print media for a certain period, depending on the category in which 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 signed by both parties. Trophy awards will also be conferred on products that really stand out in their special area.
Stickers for gold and double gold awards will also be available for purchase for 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.
Early bird entry fee R990 excluding VAT (approximately USD76 or EUR66) from 16 March until 7 June 2021
Early bird entry price ends, and the regular entry fee of R1300 excluding VAT (approximately USD96 or EUR84) applies from 8 June to 2 August 2021
Late entry fee of R1440 excluding VAT (approximately USD115 or EUR101) applies from 4 August to final close on 10 August 2021
Final entries close
Final delivery of samples to Stellenbosch, South Africa
Stickers will be available to the winners at R330 excluding VAT per 1000. There will be only one print run, and extra stickers will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
The award may only be used for the particular brand that was entered. If the company markets the exact same product under different brand names, additional non-exclusive licences will be granted to be used for the additional brands at an amount per brand that is equal to the entry fee.
Stickers will be available to the winners at R330 excluding VAT per 1000. There will be only one print run, and extra stickers will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
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.
Products will be judged by sommeliers and other food industry professionals who have an intimate knowledge of taste and who will be able to discern superior products.
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.
Products will be assessed double blind, and judged according to the generally accepted criteria used within in their particular category. These include taste, smell, mouthfeel, persistence of flavour and other distinctive attributes as applicable.
In addition to the many food products awarded in the Aurora International Taste Challenge, this year’s contest will also be awarding superior beers and ciders. The winners will be determined on the basis of score, and the number of winners will not be limited to three per category.
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.
This year, bottled water in every form, from still to sparkling to flavoured, will be judged in South Africa by sommeliers, chefs, and food industry professionals. The goal is to identify and award the best-tasting water available to consumers.
Olives and Olive oil will be judged in South Africa by sommeliers, chefs, and food industry professionals. The goal is to identify and award the best-tasting water available to consumers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Koelenhof Road
Stellenbosch
South Africa
GPS coordinates: – 33 82’ 66 21 S / 18 79” 55 15 W
Samples must be delivered between 9:00 and 16:00 on August 16th and 17th, 2021.
Person receiving samples:
Celia Gilloway
Email: celia@eventsbycelia.com
Tel: 082 782 1977
We have partnered with DHL to allow for timely delivery. When making use of DHL, please ensure you send your samples by 16 July 2021, 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”. You can contact Marijke at Marijke.Douglas@dhl.com or on 021 872 4717. 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”. Contact Marijke on 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.
For additional information contact Sanet van Heerden at hello@aurorachallenge.com. This competition is run by the Awards Show (Pty) Ltd.
With regards 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 on Marijke.Douglas@dhl.com or phone her on +27 (0)21 872 4717 to make sure everything will be in order.
Does taxes and custom fees only relate to imports?
Only samples send from outside of South Africa will accrue taxes, clearance and customs fees.
As you have partnered with DHL, do entrants get a reduced-price option?
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 competition?
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.c
Rules vary from category to category, and would be shown on the individual category’s webpage.