We’re counting down the days until the holidays, but in the meantime there is much excitement within the team as we work through some of the nominations that have streamed in for the Eat Out Dstv Food Network Produce awards. (Nominations close on 15 January 2013.) These produce awards will culminate in a celebration and showcase of the finest South African produce at a two-day food festival in March next year.

I'm a sucker for anything pickled or preserved, and my fridge is often jam-packed with all kinds of concoctions. Well, except for lemon curd, which I have to make myself. I just haven't found a good enough store-bought one that’s thick and creamy with enough lemon to make it taste like the real deal. Homemade lemon curd is simply the best, spread onto white buttered toast or folded into thick Greek yoghurt… or just eaten straight from the jar with a spoon.

The Eat Out DStv Food Network Produce Awards recognise all good food from the paddock to the pantry. We award producers that have a good ethical philosophy and use traditional and authentic methods; and acknowledge all the people in South Africa who are committed to quality and innovation in what they grow and make.

But we need your help to unearth the best producers across the country. If you have a favourite plum jam, snoek pâté, dairy-free raw chocolate brownie, artisan cheese maker, baker or producer of first-class meat (who knows exactly which cow his steaks come from), please share their details with us so we can add them to the list to present to the judges in February. Who knows, there might even be a lemon curd worthy enough to tempt me!

Happy eating.

Abigail

Pictured (from top): 2012 Produce Award winners Oude Bank Bakkerij, Dargle Duck and Croft Chickens