New awards have been launched that are aimed at putting the spotlight on the best vegan food and wine products, and foodservice operators in the Australian market.

Being run by independent Melbourne publisher Aduki Independent Press and winners chosen by the public vote, the awards will acknowledge vegan products across ten categories—best Aussie vegan restaurant, Australia’s most vegan-friendly city, best vegan beer; best vegan wine; best mock meat dish or product; best soy/non-dairy product; best vegan dessert/sweet dish or product; best vegan chocolate; favourite Aussie vegan business; and best Aussie vegan website/blog.

Nominations are now open to the public and close on 29 February. Voting in all categories will commence in March via the Aduki website. Voting closes midnight on 25 April.

“The vegan community in Australia is vibrant and active. There are many amazing groups and individuals making contributions to make out lives better and we want to showcase some of the best Australia has to offer,” said Emily Clark from Aduki independent press.

“The cool thing about these awards is that they are the people’s choice. Aduki won’t have any influence over the results, we are simply facilitating public opinion.”

The awards coincide with the launch of Aduki Online, the web-based version of Aduki magazine, a free publication for the vegetarian/vegan community.

You can log onto Aduki Online at www.aduki.net.au/online. Nominations for the awards can be sent to 2008awards@aduki.net.au