The winners of this year’s 10th anniversary Premier’s Food Awards demonstrate the creativity and innovation of the SA food industry, says Agriculture Food and Fisheries Minister, Rory McEwen.

"The Awards emphasise how well the South Australian food sector is performing on a variety of levels, from the farm gate all the way to the value added processed goods that are exported around the world," Mr McEwen said.

A highlight of this year’s awards, held in Adelaide tonight was the KPMG Young Leader Award to Stephan Knoll for his contribution to industry as Chair of Flavour SA and as a member of the Premier’s Food Council.

Mr Knoll, aged 24, is General Manager of Barossa Fine Foods, a family owned and operated business specialising in smallgoods and meats. Managing five retail outlets, 12 managerial staff and a further 60 line staff, Stephan has managed the company during a period of national growth of 20% per year.

Also tonight, Bickford’s Australia, a 168 year old food industry leader, was inducted into the South Australian Food Industry Hall of Fame made possible by Coopers Brewery by Premier, Mike Rann. Bickford’s Australia is a world class beverage manufacturer of quality cordials, soft drinks, waters and fruit juices.

Like previous year’s winners, Coopers Brewery and San Remo, Bickford's is a part of South Australia’s heritage with the head office and manufacturing facilities, continuing to proudly remain located in Adelaide.

A dual winner was Kinkawooka Shellfish for their 'Pot ready mussels' product, which won the San Remo Pasta, New Product Award and SARDI Innovation Award.

Clean Seas Tuna and Ferguson Australia won the NAB Export Award and Food Adelaide Finished Food Award (Large) respectively for their excellence in exporting premium quality fresh and value added seafood products into the difficult European markets.

Winners

South Australian Food Industry Hall of Fame made possible by Coopers Brewery

Inductee: Bickford’s Australia

KPMG Young Leader Award

Winner: Stephan Knoll, 24 is the General Manager of Barossa Fine Foods, which specialises in smallgoods and meats through its five retail outlets. Stephan is the current Chair and a Committee member of Flavour SA, member of the Premier’s Food Council and actively involved in the Australian Meat Industry Council.

Peats Soil & Garden Supplies Environmental Sustainability Award

Winner: The Food Forest is a model for sustainable land use in semi arid agricultural areas and offers among many things organically certified foods both raw and value added.

NAB Export Award

Winner: Clean Seas Tuna produce Yellowtail Kingfish and Mulloway, which accounts for 60% of their sales through exporting to Europe, South East Asia and North America.

Food Adelaide Finished Food Awards

(Small)
Winner: Buzz Honey are primary producers and wholesalers of honey with seven flavours, selling 100% of their honey under their own brand and exporting to Singapore, Indonesia and China.

(Medium)
Winner: Woodside Cheese Wrights produce a range of goat and cow milk cheeses, specialising in handmade white mould cheeses selling to premium food markets such as restaurants, gourmet stores and farmers markets.

(Large)
Winner: Ferguson Australia provides premium quality fresh and processed seafood such as lobster medallions, lobster oil and lobster glazes to the UK, Hong Kong, China, Dubai and France.

SARDI Innovation Award

Winner: Kinkawooka Shellfish has integrated innovation into every tier of the business, from grow-out and harvest, through to processing, product development, marketing and sales for their 'pot ready mussels'.

San Remo Pasta New Product Award

Winner: Kinkawooka Shellfish have set a new standard of excellence with their pot ready mussels - live mussels, freshly plucked from the sea, sealed with a little sea water to retain the quality flavour and texture, as if they’ve just been harvested from the ocean.

Rural Solutions SA Services to Industry Award

Winner: Jigsaw Media Solutions ‘Sumptuous’ magazine and television represents the seasons of food and wine showcasing the best assets of the State to a national and international audience establishing SA as the food capital of Australia.

Food and Beverage Development Fund SA Inc Workforce Development Award

Winner: AgriExchange is one of the largest producers and packers of citrus and table greens, investing in the workforce development of over 300 staff and 700 casuals through their motto "we hire for character and train for skill".