Aurora International Taste Challenge (AITC) 2023
At the AITC, experts award superior food and drinks to help consumers make informed choices.
Charcuterie including salami, chorizo, ham, Pancetta and Bresaola and many more will be evaluated.
Patties, sosaties (kebabs) and sausages are among the products that will be prepared on-site. The uncooked meat products will be expertly prepared by the top students from Capsicum Culinary Studio, and chef schools.
South African favourites like droëwors, biltong and boerewors will also be catered for.
There are also categories for bacon, ham, dry-cured meats and many more.
Meet some of this year’s judges
Jenny Morris
Celebrity Chef
Carianne Wilkinson
Vice-principal at Silwood Kitchen
Craig Cormack
Celebrity Chef
The following are some of the most common questions we receive, and you can read more of the FAQs on our website and download the FAQ guide from the link below.
Will samples be refrigerated, kept frozen or kept cool as necessary when they arrive?
The cold chain will be maintained at all times, once samples arrive.
After I paid for my entries, and my products have been awarded, do I have to pay for the artwork, or anything else?
Winners will receive award artwork at no additional charge and are allowed to use it on the awarded products, in digital and printed media and advertising. Stickers can be bought if they are required, but you do not have to order stickers.
May we pay in EUR or USD?
Once you have entered all your products, you can make an online payment in EUR or USD through PayPal. You can print your invoice online and make an EFT payment using the SWIFT details shown in the banking details. You can also pay in ZAR through Payfast.
What counts as one entry?
The shortest answer would be, one flavour/type = one entry. If products are different in taste, type, chemical composition, flavour etc., they are separate entries.
There are three sample delivery options:
• First Option (2-day window – 5th and 6th of June) – for samples located close to the event in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
• Second delivery option (17-day delivery window – from 17th of May to 2nd of June) – for samples arriving from afar.
• Third delivery option – Send at any time to make sure samples arrive before the 6th of June 2023, even if it is much too early.
************ GO TO FAQS **********
Enter as soon as possible
The entry fee is, R1575.00 excluding VAT per entry (approximately USD90 or EUR90 depending on the exchange rate).
******* REGISTER *******
Entries close 16 May 2023
Stickers will be available at R395.00 excluding VAT per 1000 (approximately USD25 or EUR25 depending on the exchange rate). Samples are to be delivered to the drop-off point in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Why should you enter the AITC?
Products that are awarded will receive silver, gold and double gold awards. Producers will be able to display the awards on their products, in digital media and in printed format. Winners will also receive a digital award artwork kit containing many iterations of the logo, and stickers can also be purchased.
What are the advantages of being awarded?
• An award shows that your product was evaluated and awarded by independent third-party chefs, sommeliers and food experts, affirming superior quality.
• Awards are a symbol of quality to use in digital and print media – Artwork can be downloaded and used in different media.
• You will receive an award certificate. If the same product is marketed under different brand names, you can receive additional certificates for those as well.
• 3 Years non-exclusive international license to use the award.
• An award will serve as content for social media and PR campaigns.
• An award will highlight the brand’s prestige and standing.
• An award could just give you the edge you needed, making a buying decision so much easier.
The other food and drinks classes are as follows (click on a category to get more information):
Drinks and beverages
• All drinks including soft drinks, kombucha, kefir water, drinks to be prepared, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks of all kinds as well as bottled water.
• Wine
• Spirits and Liqueurs
• Beer, Cider and Mead
• Coffee – Roasters, importers and distributors can enter coffee beans as well as pre-ground coffee and pods.
• Tea
Food products
• Cereals and Snacks
• Dairy products
• Olives and olive oil (extra virgin)
• Other oils, flavoured or unflavoured
• Pasta and noodles
• Meat – Charcuterie, sausages, dried and other meats
• Convenience food
• Baked goods and confectionery
• Chocolate
• Snacks and cereal
• Preserves, spreads, honey and syrups
Flavour enhancers
• Dry Seasoning, including individual classes for salt, herbs and spices.
• Condiments, dressings and sauces, including balsamic and soya sauce.
Besides the artwork that can be used on packaging and in digital and print media, stickers can also be acquired for R395.00 excluding VAT per 1000 (approximately USD25 or EUR25 depending on the exchange rate). The stickers measure 25 mm across.
For more information about this event and its unique features, please visit the website at www.aurorachallenge.com. If you have any other questions, you can email Sanet van Heerden at [email protected] or contact her at +27 (0)84 446 0412.
Kind regards,
The Aurora International Taste Challenge Team
