The Wellington Food Show 2026 ran from 28–30 August at Hnry Stadium, bringing together more than 100 exhibitors showcasing local flavours, artisan products and international treats.
Across the three-day event, visitors could sample food and beverages from producers around New Zealand and beyond, watch live cooking demonstrations and masterclasses, and discover show specials and products that may not yet be widely available in the market.
For Alpine Select, we went with a slightly different mission: finding products ready to take on the world.
The 40-minute wait for a parking space was the first sign that it was going to be one hell of an event. The next time Hnry Stadium gets this busy might be an All Blacks final.
We skipped the luxury car and holiday lucky draws and made a beeline for the first food stall.
First Stop: Saweet
Our first discovery was Saweet, an Australian brand from Melbourne, Victoria, offering low-calorie sweeteners made with monk fruit.
Monk fruit, or luo han guo, is particularly familiar to many Asian consumers, who have traditionally used the fruit in herbal drinks and teas. Personally, I prefer its taste to stevia — although that could just be my Asian taste buds talking.
What really caught my attention was its versatility. Unlike some sugar alternatives, Saweet's sweetener can be used in cooking and baking and is designed to caramelise similarly to sugar. That makes it an interesting option for consumers looking to reduce their sugar intake without completely changing the way they cook.
It ultimately took us more than four hours to make our way around the stadium. I wish we had had more time to explore even more thoroughly, but after plenty of tasting, talking and label reading, these were my standout discoveries from the show.
Top Picks from The Wellington Food Show 2026
No. 1 — DB Snack's Crunchy Cheese
Origin: Auckland, New Zealand
Simple concept. Very good execution.
Made from 100% cheese, these crunchy cheese sticks immediately stood out. They're light, crisp and dangerously easy to keep eating.
With a simple ingredient proposition and naturally savoury cheese flavour, I can see these sitting comfortably on a charcuterie board, in a lunchbox or alongside a glass of wine.
At the moment, there is only one flavour. I'll be watching closely to see where the range goes next.
Why it caught our attention: A straightforward product with strong snacking appeal, good storage potential and a format that could translate well across different markets.
No. 2 — Kiwi Artisan
Origin: Christchurch, New Zealand
Truffle products can sometimes be overpowering. Kiwi Artisan's Truffle Seasoning gets the balance right.
Even if you're a little heavy-handed with the shaker, the truffle flavour doesn't overwhelm the food. Instead, it adds a savoury, umami-rich layer that can elevate very simple dishes.
Sprinkle it over popcorn, mashed potato or fries, or use it wherever a dish needs an extra savoury boost.
At NZ$16.90 for 150g shaker at the show, it also struck us as good value for a premium-positioned seasoning.
Why it caught our attention: Premium flavour, easy application and plenty of opportunities for consumers to experiment with it.
No. 3 — Forty Thieves
Origin: Auckland, New Zealand
Forty Thieves was one of the more creative brands we came across.
Beyond its nut butters, the range includes products such as Cashew Korma Curry Paste and Peanut Satay Stir Fry Paste, taking nuts beyond the breakfast table and into everyday cooking.
For the sweeter side of the range, my personal picks were the Cinnamon Donut Peanut Butter and Gingerbread Cookie Peanut Butter.
What I particularly like about the concept is the combination of familiar products with unexpected flavours. Peanut and nut butters are already well understood by consumers, but Forty Thieves gives them a more playful and versatile identity.
Why it caught our attention: Creative flavour development and products that can cross between breakfast, snacking and cooking occasions.
No. 4 — Neudorf Black Garlic Purée
Origin: Nelson, New Zealand
This was one of those products that immediately made me start thinking about what I could cook with it.
Black garlic develops a deep, slightly sweet and savoury umami character through a controlled ageing process, creating something quite different from fresh garlic.
Neudorf's Black Garlic Purée takes that flavour and puts it into an easy, ready-to-use format.
Stir it into aioli or mayonnaise, add it to risotto or pasta, spread it over crackers or wraps, use it on pizza, add it to avocado toast or use it as a premium savoury boost in your favourite recipe.
Ready to use and effortlessly versatile, it could easily become the secret ingredient behind a home cook's favourite recipes.
The product is gluten-free and vegan, with no preservatives or additives. Its long shelf life also makes it particularly interesting from an export perspective.
Why it caught our attention: Premium positioning, distinctive flavour, versatile applications and export-friendly shelf life.
No. 5 — Blue Frog Breakfast
Origin: Auckland, New Zealand
Choosing favourites at the Blue Frog stand was surprisingly difficult.
The team had brought along an excellent selection, including Keto Almond Butter & Vanilla Bean, Raspberry, Macadamia & Vanilla, and Macadamia, Almond & Mānuka Honey. I eventually had to limit myself to just two flavours to take home.
What stood out was the combination of interesting flavours and a relatively clean ingredient proposition. The granolas incorporate ingredients such as nuts and prebiotic fibre, with selected products using alternatives such as date and tapioca syrup rather than relying solely on conventional refined sugar.
They work equally well for breakfast or as a snack straight from the bag.
Why it caught our attention: Strong New Zealand identity, interesting flavour combinations and a product format already familiar to international consumers.
No. 6 — Feliz Wholefoods Vutter Avo Spreadable
Origin: Auckland, New Zealand
Feliz Wholefoods' Vutter Avo Spreadable was another interesting find.
Made with 40% avocado oil, it offers a plant-based alternative to traditional dairy spreads without relying on the long ingredient lists often associated with highly processed alternatives.
It can be refrigerated or frozen and is designed for spreading and cooking, giving it plenty of everyday applications.
For us, the interesting part is the use of avocado oil in such a familiar household format. Consumers don't need to learn how to use the product — they can simply swap it into occasions where they would normally use a conventional spread.
Why it caught our attention: Familiar format, differentiated ingredient base and relevance to growing demand for plant-based alternatives.
No. 7 — Maud and Harry's Walnut Company
Origin: Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Maud and Harry's Walnut Company stood out for its focus on New Zealand-grown walnuts and premium walnut-based products.
The walnuts were delightfully delicate and crisp. My favourites from the display were the Popcorn Brittle Clusters and Walnut and Coconut Chips. These products tasted wonderfully fresh. However, I would be interested to see how well that freshness holds further into their shelf life, as walnuts are naturally high in polyunsaturated fats, which are more susceptible to oxidation and can affect flavour over time.
Why it caught our attention: Strong New Zealand provenance, premium ingredients and great taste in a distinctive product range with broad consumer appeal.
No. 8 — ViBERi
Origin: Canterbury, New Zealand
“Forget Ribena,” Anita said. “Made with reconstituted blackcurrants, it has lost almost all the goodness in this antioxidant-packed berry.”
ViBERi's Organic Blackcurrant Powder is made from premium New Zealand-grown blackcurrants, carefully freeze-dried to retain their natural flavour, vibrant colour and nutritional properties.
This 100% organic blackcurrant powder contains no additives, preservatives or fillers — just pure blackcurrants grown on ViBERi's orchard.
Blackcurrants are naturally rich in vitamin C and anthocyanins, which contribute to their deep colour and distinctive flavour. The powder can be added to cereal, baking, smoothie bowls or anywhere you want a bright, berry-rich boost.
ViBERi also offers a range of blackcurrant snacks. My picks were ViBERi Cacao, ViBERi Pearl and ViBERi Ruby — each offering a convenient way to enjoy the flavour of New Zealand-grown blackcurrants.
Why it caught our attention: Strong New Zealand provenance, organic positioning, versatile powder format and a distinctive range of blackcurrant snacks.
Looking Beyond Great Taste
There were many other excellent products at The Wellington Food Show that haven't made this list.
For Alpine Select, however, finding a great product is only the beginning.
At this event, criteria considered includes shelf life, packaging, storage requirements, price positioning and how easily a product can travel through an export supply chain.
Some fantastic products at the show were therefore left off this list simply because their short shelf life or storage requirements could make international distribution more challenging for our buyers at the moment.
And that is perhaps what makes going to events like The Wellington Food Show so useful.
You get to taste the products, meet the people behind them and see how consumers respond in real time. A website or product catalogue can tell you what a product is. Standing in a crowded stadium watching people come back for a second sample tells you something else entirely.
Looking forward to next year’s event already!
It is also worth remembering that products made without synthetic preservatives or other additives may not store as perfectly as products formulated with them. A clean ingredient list can be a strong selling point, but it may also mean greater sensitivity to temperature, humidity, oxygen, light or handling conditions. In some cases, the product may change in texture, colour, flavour or freshness before the stated best-before date.