Kiwi Salt and Meatless Wonders as World Food Innovation Awards 2025 Shake Things Up

Scott Mathias
Mar 6
2 min read

Updated: Mar 6

Turns out, New Zealand salt is a big deal. The little guys at Opito Bay Salt Company have picked up multiple nominations at the World Food Innovation Awards 2025, proving sometimes, all you need is seawater and a bit of patience.

Their natural Coromandel sea salt and rare dry gin-infused variety are in the running for best artisan product, while their black garlic salt is up for best natural/organic products, in the world. Not bad for a small-batch operation turning out some of the purest, punchiest salt around.

Source: Opito Bay Salt Company

The Opito Bay Salt Company Founders Perry Cornish and Erin Mone are over the moon.

“The IFE and World Food Innovation awards are massive in the international food world. We have been on a mission to bring amazing natural NZ sea salt to the world this is just one more step in that journey”, says Perry and Erin.

Meanwhile, plant-based food products are still refusing to sit quietly in the corner. Impossible Foods has thrown its hat in the ring with its plant-based corn dogs (because why not), and Steakholder Foods is in the lineup of finalists with its alternative salmon patty and its white fillet of fish - both bio-printed products. The plant-based category is stacked with companies pushing the limits of what’s possible when you leave animals out of the equation.

Source: Various - Impossible Corn Dog - Steakholder Foods Bio-Printed Salmon Patties & White Fillet Fish

With over 100 companies shortlisted across 24 categories, this year’s awards are shaping up to be a mix of the unexpected and the inevitable.

The winners will be announced on 17 March at IFE 2025 in London, but one thing’s already clear, whether it’s flaky New Zealand sea salt or a meatless hot dog, food innovation isn’t slowing down.

Check out the full list of global finalists HERE.

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