Mr Bagrie, a fifth-generation farmer, said it was the first time Royalburn had entered the annual awards and they could not be happier with the result.
"We have a very dedicated, hard-working team at Royalburn Station and this award is a credit to them.
"Royalburn Station grows enough food to feed at least 20,000 people, so it’s a large-scale operation, but we are demonstrating that it is possible to be a genuine farm-to-plate operation producing excellent-quality food that’s sympathetic to the animals and the environment, as well as being a profitable enterprise."
Royalburn Station has an on-farm micro-abattoir and complementary butchery.
It supplied many of the country’s top-rated restaurants and premium food specialists.
NZ Food Awards head judge Kay McMath said the judges were impressed by the tender, succulent lamb, as well as Royalburn Station’s commitment to an integrated and sustainable approach.
Royalburn Station was also a finalist for two other awards: the artisan award (Royalburn Fine Lamb) and the business innovation award.
- Staff reporter
