Money might not grow on trees, but award-winning apples do. Help us find the pick of the bunch, by nominating your favourite products and markets for an Eat Out DStv Food Network Produce Award.

Formerly the Eat In DStv Food Network Produce Awards, the annual awards recognize fantastic producers, speciality stores and markets across South Africa. There are categories for bakery, dairy, seafood, meat (‘paddock’), grocery and condiments, and fruit and veg (‘Earth’) as well as awards for organic, preservation of our heritage, and best new product. You can also nominate the best food stores and markets in your neck of the woods. There is also an award for the best local food blogger, to recognize the work our local foodie community does to support small food businesses.

Nominations are open to the public and producers alike. You’re welcome to nominate yourself, or as many small producers as you like, but it’s not necessary to nominate the same producer more than once.

Nominations will close on the 15th January. Then it’s over to our judges, who’ll taste their way through all your nominations.

Click here to make your nomination.

To get us started, we asked some of the chefs nominated for our restaurant awards to tell us about some of their favourite small producers.

“I have an amazing bank of hand picked suppliers. All of which really look after me. Farmer Angus from Spier has an honesty and pure approach in his farming that has to make him my favourite. Chickens, eggs, beef and my little lamb cheeks, all farmed with integrity.” Margot Janse of The Tasting Room

“I have 13 or so that are all so very special in their own right.  My newest supplier is Kamberg Ham, where Franco makes the most delicious charcuterie.  World Class.” Jackie Cameron of Hartford House

“La Marina: the quality of their product and the fact if I need something they will try and make a plan for me.  Caroline from Braeside Butchery.” Marthinus Ferreira, DW-Eleven-13

“Wild Peacock. They supply the best local products and are always willing to pursue new ingredients for us to experiment with.”
John Shuttleworth, Rust en Vrede

“Oom Daniel, my favourite gardener at La Motte!” Chris Erasmus of Pierneef a La Motte