SA Premier’s Food Industry Awards finalists announced
Long-running iconic food businesses and innovative new businesses reflect the diversity of this year’s finalists in the South Australian Premier’s Food Industry Awards 2010.A record number of entries were received this year, up by 46 percent, with 21 first-time entrants received in the nine categories.
Agriculture and Food Minister Michael O’Brien said he was impressed with the quality of the competition.
“The calibre of this year’s finalists says great things about the ongoing strength of the South Australian food industry,” Mr O’Brien said.
Well-known businesses like Bickford’s Australia, Haigh’s Chocolates, Lucia’s Fine Foods and Nippy’s are mixing it up with newer businesses like Tucker’s Natural, Australian Caper Company, Free Eyre, KI Pure Grains, Port Lincoln Sardine and Seafood Exporters Australia.
With “Consume” being the theme of the awards this year and “consumers” being the key to growth – it is important that the South Australian food industry strives towards developing new markets, new products and innovation, Mr O’Brien said.
A new category was introduced this year, the Foodland SA Understanding Consumers Award, which recognises the best product developed, based on consumer demand.
Finalists in this category are Bickford’s Australia, Cleanseas, Lucia’s Fine Foods, Spring Gully Foods and Tucker’s Natural.
“These businesses have recognised that consumers want to know about their food and are saying it should be healthy and natural without compromising on flavour,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Listening to their consumers, these businesses have launched five great new products – pure flavoured water, marinated kingfish, tomato pasta sauce, gluten free chutney and high-fibre crackers.”
PIRSA deputy chief executive Don Plowman officiated at the launch on Friday morning where guests were treated to the banter of celebrity chefs, Gary Mehigan and George Colombaris, at Adelaide’s debut of the Good Food and Wine Show.
The Masterchef duo agreed that the awards lift the profile of the South Australian food industry, the producers, the products and all who work in it and said they were looking forward to learning more about the producers.
Winners of the awards will be announced at a gala dinner on Friday, November 5 at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Tickets are available at www.safoodawards.com.au.
