Rabbit schnitzel, a quirky slice of SA’s food brilliance

Rabbit schnitzels, bambini bocconcini and lobster medallions are some of the stars of this year’s Premier’s Food Award finalists.

26 finalists have just been selected, with winners to be announced at a gala dinner hosted by Premier Mike Rann, with TV chef Ian Parmenter, in November.

Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister, Rory McEwen said this year’s finalists included small regional based family businesses through to export companies.

"The variety of the finalists is a true reflection of the excellent quality and creativity we have here in South Australia. Our amazing diversity includes exporting lobster into Dubai, pasta being sold into Italy and delicious shiraz-flavoured chocolate liqueurs," Minister McEwen said.

"Where else would you find rabbit schnitzels and sausages? We have many talented and creative people within our state’s food industry, and these awards are a great way of highlighting the terrific work they do.

"These awards also build on our new campaign, The whole world buys South Australian. Do you? which is encouraging South Australians to buy the state's excellent locally grown and produced food," Mr McEwen said.

Two new awards have been included this year - the Badge Constructions ‘Best New Product 05/06’ and Rural Solutions SA ‘Services to Industry’ awards.

Other categories include the KPMG ‘Young Leader’, Peats Soil and Garden Supplies ‘Environmental Management’, SARDI ‘Innovation’, Food Adelaide ‘New Export Development’, Coopers Brewery ‘Value Adding (Large company)’ and the Food Training SA and FTH Skills Council ‘Workforce Development’.

SA’s food and wine exports are worth $3.7 billion, equating to more than half of the State’s exports.

Limited tickets for the gala dinner on 10 November are now on sale. Members of the public are invited to attend, and enjoy a four-course meal using exclusively SA produce and created by Adelaide Convention Centre executive chef Tze Khaw.

Finalists

KPMG Young Leader

Romeo Giangregorio, 32, Manager of Rainbow Fresh Pty Ltd and is the youngest board member of the Virginia Horticulture Centre and a Representative of the Lettuce Commodity Group of SA.

Steven Marafiote, 31, Managing Director of Australian Quality Plus, a new export company trading to Middle Eastern Markets.

George Ujvary, 31, Managing Director of Olga’ Fine Foods, producing quality meat products such as sausages, burgers, patties and schnitzels.

Badge Constructions Best New Product 05/06

Fosters Herbs, started growing herbs in 1987 and developed Baby Herbs grown specifically for the hospitality industry.

La Casa Del Formaggio, was founded in 1988 and specialises in fresh Italian style cheeses including bocconcini, ricotta, mozzarella, goats curd and mascarpone.

Woodside Cheesewrights, produce a range of goat and milk cheeses, specialising in handmade white mould cheeses and were established in 1993.

Peats Soil & Garden Supplies Environmental Management

Coopers Brewery, established in 1862 is Australia’s sole remaining family owned brewer and third largest in Australia.

KI Ligurian Honey, is among the biggest organic honey producers in Australia with the unique Ligurian Honey Bee.

Virginia Horticulture Centre, was established in 1996, in the heart of the Adelaide Plains is a focal point for horticulture and industry development.

SARDI Innovation

Australian Wholefoods, is a food and salad manufacturing business producing fresh salads and cooked and baked products, established in 1990.

Scalzi Produce, supplies wholesale fruit and vegetables to supermarkets and national merchants.

Food Adelaide New Export Development

Australian Quality Plus, is a new export company, trading to Middle Eastern Markets particularly Dubai since 2004.

Ferguson Australia, has fished the Southern Ocean for more than 40 years and provides premium quality fresh and processed seafood to the world.

Seafood Logistics, was established in 2004 and delivers live and frozen oysters and seafood products under the OYSA brand.

Rural Solutions SA Services to Industry

Hilton Adelaide, the Brasserie restaurant celebrates the true essence of South Australian produce with its Seriously South Australian!

Mercorella Group, specialises in the management and distribution of fresh produce to major supermarkets throughout Australia.

Site Academy, was established in 2001 to provide progressive and contemporary industry relevant training in hospitality, event and tourism industries.

Virginia Horticulture Centre, was established in 1996, in the heart of the Adelaide Plains is a focal point for horticulture and industry development.

Adelaide Showgrounds Value Adding (Small)

Bushmin Farmed Rabbits, was established in 2002 and supplies quality rabbit meat products to consumers and the food service industry.

Hindmarsh Valley Dairy, specialises in producing a range of goat milk cheeses and dairy products including yogurt and milk, based on traditional French and Swiss recipes.

Talinga Grove, was the first South Australian producer to create infused oils including garlic, lemon, chilli and lime plus complimentary products including dukkah, kalamata olives and a range of cosmetic products.

NFIS Ltd Value Adding (Medium)

Alexandrina Cheese Company, is a third-generation cheesemaking and dairy family manufacturing traditional style cloth bound rinded cheddar, edam, gouda, feta, ricotta and an exquisite pure jersey cream.

David Medlow Chocolates, provides innovative and high quality chocolates and confections for the upper end of the market.

Ferguson Australia, has fished the Southern Ocean for more than 40 years and provides premium quality fresh and processed seafood to the world.

Coopers Brewery Value Adding (Large)

Cocolat, was established in 1992, and specialises in the art of chocolate indulgences and wicked desserts.

Robern Menz, has become a South Australian icon and one of the largest suppliers of dried fruit, glace fruit, fruit based confectionery, chocolate confectionery and sugar confectionery.

Food Training SA and FTH Skills Council Workforce Development

Cocolat, was established in 1992, and specialises in the art of chocolate indulgences and wicked desserts.

L'Abruzzese, is a South Australian manufacturer of quality dried gourmet pasta, egg noodles and organic pasta.