The 2015 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show has wrapped up for another year following two weeks of judging at Sydney Showground.
115 judges critiqued over 1,100 products across the categories of beef, branded lamb, deli meat, olive oil and regional food.
Chair of the Sydney Royal Fine Food and Wine Shows, Lyndey Milan says that the ever increasing public interest in the diversity, quality and provenance of their food has created a thriving market for Australian producers.
“Fuelled by the consumers’ ever-growing love affair for food via TV shows and the media, people are becoming more discerning and seeking new products,” says Milan. “This has encouraged boutique, artisanal and larger producers to come to the front and enter our competitions to meet this high quality demand.”
In total 105 Gold, 287 Silver and 376 Bronze medals were awarded, in addition to 29 Sydney Royal Championship Trophies.
“Many companies, large and small, have been refining their products for years, using feedback from our Sydney Royal judges. This has lead not only to greater success in competitions, but to greater commercial success for our exhibitors,” says Sally Evans, chief steward of Wine and Regional Food.
“It’s very rewarding to see a company earn a Bronze Medal one year, and in the years to follow find that they have raised the quality up to a silver, gold and event to Champion Trophy level.”
Branded Beef
Sydney-based producer Andrews Meat Industries won a string of trophies including Grand Champion Grain Fed Beef, making the second year in a row the producer has taken out the highest honours. Andrews Meat Industries was also awarded Champion Open Beef Exhibit; Champion Wagyu / Other Breeds Beef Exhibit; and Champion Speciality Product in the Deli Meat Competition.
In addition to Andrews Meat Industries, Sydney’s Bindaree Beef took out Champion Grass Fed Beef Exhibit for the second year in a row, while Champion Grain Fed Beef Exhibit went to JBS Australia of Booval QLD.
Branded Lamb
Milly Hill Pty. Ltd. has topped the honours list by winning the Champion Grass Fed Lamb Exhibit for their Grass Fed 20-23 kilograms. Milly Hill walked away with four medals, in addition to its Championship Trophy.
Deli Meat
The Deli Meat category saw 676 products entered into the competition this year, with 65 percent of entries being made up of NSW produce.
Of the nine Champion Trophies awarded at this year’s Show, four were claimed by Barossa Fine Food, who also collected 13 Gold, 18 Silver and 26 Bronze Medals.
NSW Northern Beaches producer, German Butchery, won Champion Bacon Exhibit for its Canadian Style Maple Bacon in addition to five Gold, eight Silver and ten Bronze Medals.
The Urban Purveyor Group’s Hanseatic Fine Foods walked away with 12 awards in total including a gold medal for its Double Smoked Ham, two silver medals and nine bronze medals.
Olive Oil
Champion Olives and Champion Olive Product winners were both NSW producers, Gibson’s Grove in Forbes and Tuscan Treats in Jiggi, respectively. The remaining included producers from Victoria, South Australia and the ACT.
Regional Food
Nicholson Fine Foods of Yamba and its Euro Style Spiced Beetroot Finishing Vinegar claimed the Champion Regional Food Exhibit and Champion Savoury Product Trophies, while Barbushco of Lorne took home Champion Speciality Product and Champion Organic Regional Food Exhibit for its Lemon Myrtle product.
Sydney boutique companies Sweetness the Patisserie from Epping and Jam & Jelly by Jewell of Georges Hall took home Champion Sweet Product and Champion Chilli Product respectively.
Click here for the full list of winners.
