IT'S official: this potato is award-winningly delicious.
The Andean Sunrise potato, grown by Crookwell's The Gourmet Potato - Kadwell, has won a state award in the delicious/Harvey Norman Produce Awards 2020.
The Gourmet Potato - Kadwell is a partnership between Garry Kadwell and Wentworth Hill, which began three years ago.
Described as "totally unique" and "bright yellow in colour with a terrific nutty flavour", the Andean Sunrise potato won praise from judge and chef Lennox Hastie.
"It's an amazing product with an amazing story," he said.
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Part of the story is the commitment of the growers to sustainable growing practices.
"Garry and I are aligned in our life passion to bring the best quality produce to market for our customers," Wentworth Hill said.
"This is a naturally-grown product that has integrity both in its production and its taste on the plate.
"We work hard to deliver the most nutritious and flavoursome potatoes within a well-established sustainable framework of regenerative farming.
"This is a wonderful acknowledgement of our product and we are truly grateful and humbled by the company of our state category."
Varieties within the company's range are grown in a biodiverse environment, cultivated topographically and protected by linking ecological zones.
More than 30 per cent of the farm's land has been dedicated to these strategically planted zones which help the crops grow and flourish in protected microclimates, while encouraging the colonisation of birds and beneficial insects to minimise crop destroying pests.
It's a framework that Garry Kadwell has developed over years of observation, and the results goes a long way to answer the question of conventional-versus-regenerative farming.
The result has been a 30pc productivity increase in crop production annually, through a balance back to the natural cycle of the land, soil and its ability to photosynthesize.
"We've forgotten that we are nature and that our land is a living organism," Mr Kadwell said.
"We focus on returning what we take with no compromise....and the reward in "giving back" is stronger plants, healthier livestock and rich, nutrient-dense soil alive with microorganisms, mycelia and worms.
"That's really the secret.. it's our soil that sets our potatoes apart."
