There are two sets of judging criteria for the Fine Food Australia Best New Product Awards – one for food and beverage products and another for non-edible products.
Entrants should respond in detail to the relevant set of criteria, providing facts, figures, survey results, customer feedback and any other corroborating evidence where possible.
The judges will assign a score for each criterion, making up a possible score of 100. Judging decisions will remain anonymous.
Food and Beverage Products
Taste and visual appeal – Possible score: 30
How well does your product appeal to the end user’s senses? Is it attractive and well-presented? Does it taste better than similar products? How effective and practical is the packaging?
Nutritional value – Possible score: 5
Does your product reduce or enhance the nutritional value of its raw ingredients? Does it improve health outcomes?
Degree of innovation – Possible score: 10
In what ways does your product represent an advance or improvement on what has gone before? Is it a break-through? Is it a fresh concept?
Effectiveness – Possible score: 5
How well does your product fulfill its purpose? What are the results from its use? How does it improve the end-user experience?
Practicality – Possible score: 5
How well does your product perform under real conditions? Are there any user surveys or test results that back this up?
Functionality – Possible score: 10
How easy to use is every facet of your product, including packaging and instructions? Has its usability been tested?
Value for money – Possible score: 10
Does your product save end-users’ money? How much? Does your product enable processes to become more efficient?
Relevance and satisfaction – Possible score: 5
Is there a need for your product? What market research have you done in support of your product? What feedback have customers provided?
Shelf-life and storage – Possible score: 10
Does your product provide better shelf-life than similar products? Does it make storage easier and more convenient for the end-user?
Distribution and availability – Possible score: 10
Is your product readily accessible for customers? Have you assessed the demand for your product? What systems do you have in place to meet demand?
Non-Edible Products
Design – Possible score: 5
Is the design not only functional and efficient but also pleasing to the eye?
Benefits and features – Possible score: 20
Does the product answer a range of needs? What are the advantages of the product compared with similar equipment?
Degree of innovation – Possible score: 20
In what ways does your product represent an advance or improvement on what has gone before? Is it a break-through? Is it a fresh concept?
Effectiveness – Possible score: 10
How well does your product fulfill its purpose? What are the results from its use? How does it improve the end-user experience?
Practicality – Possible score: 10
How well does your product perform under real conditions? Are there any user surveys or test results that back this up?
Functionality – Possible score: 10
How easy to use is every facet of your product, including packaging and instructions? Has its usability been tested?
Cost efficiency – Possible score: 10
Does your product save end-users’ money? How much? Does your product enable processes to become more efficient?
Relevance and satisfaction – Possible score: 5
Is there a need for your product? What market research have you done in support of your product? What feedback have customers provided?
Sustainability – Possible score: 5
Does the manufacture or running of your product consume fewer resources than similar products? Does your product contribute to sustainable outcomes?
Distribution – Possible score: 5
Is your product readily accessible for customers? Have you assessed the demand for your product? What systems do you have in place to meet demand?