Summer F.A.W.C! 2024LEGENDS WINNERS

Kim Thorp named F.A.W.C!’s 2022 Hawke’s Bay Legend.

Hawke’s Bay Tourism, in conjunction with Cuisine Magazine, is delighted to announce the second ever F.A.W.C! Hawke’s Bay Legend is Kim Thorp.

Our 2022 Winner

Kim Thorp – along with 12 other fellow nominees – were honoured at an event on the opening night of Summer F.A.W.C! at The Old Church tonight.

From an incredible field of dedicated and talented food and beverage stars, Kim Thorp’s pioneering vision to elevate the food, wine and visitor experience in Hawke’s Bay as well as his dedication to establishing Hawke’s Bay’s reputation as New Zealand’s premier food and wine destination saw him named the 2022 F.A.W.C! Hawke’s Bay Legend.

 

The 2022 Award

Kim Thorp is the second recipient of the F.A.W.C! Legend’s Award, after Sir Graeme Avery who was recognised as the inaugural legend last summer. Kim has received a stunning award made by traditional Māori carver Phil Belcher.

Hawke’s Bay Tourism, who announced the search for a Legend in 2021, established the award as a means to honour those visionaries who helped shape Food and Wine Country into the amazing playground for foodies that it is today.

Finalists were those who could demonstrate a minimum of 10 years’ commitment to food and/or beverage industries in Hawke’s Bay; had contributed to the creation and shaping of the culinary landscape in Hawke’s Bay; had consistently lent their weight and support to Hawke’s Bay as a food and wine destination; and had contributed to or enhanced the visitor experience in Hawke’s Bay.

The 13 finalists and eventual winner were chosen by a panel that comprised Sarah Meikle, Chief Executive of Wellington Culinary Events Trust, Kelli Brett, Editor at Cuisine Magazine, and George Hickton, Chairman of Hawke’s Bay Tourism.

 

It was difficult to name just one ‘legend’ for the award, said Kelli Brett of Cuisine Magazine.

“Each and every one of our finalists have made a lasting, momentous impact on the landscape of food tourism – not just in Hawke’s Bay, but across New Zealand,” says Brett.

“It’s so hard to articulate the immense feel-good factor of this award with so many wonderful and worthy nominees. This event has been an outstanding tribute to the local visionaries who have made a huge contribution to the creation and shaping of their culinary landscape and the 2022 Hawke’s Bay Legend has played an incredibly important role in the development and delivery of a food and drink story that we can all be mighty proud of.

“It is so very clear that Kim Thorp has had an incredible influence on the landscape of Hawke’s Bay Food and Wine Country, and his dedication to the region makes him an extremely worthy recipient of this year’s Legends honour,” she said