Seafood the big winner at Premier's Food Awards

Black lipped abalone and farmed Southern Bluefin Tuna from ‘Australia’s Seafood Frontier’, the Eyre Peninsula were the big winners at the Premier’s Food Awards last night.

Dover Fisheries and Clean Seas Limited were dual winners scooping two awards each, highlighting that seafood from South Australian waters is world class.

"Abalone business Dover Fisheries, which won both the NAB Agribusiness Export Award as well as the new Food Adelaide Value Chain Award, are driving dollars into this State through well researched consumer and market understanding,” Premier Mike Rann said.

"Differentiating their products specifically to these needs has allowed them to compete in highly competitive markets and come out on top with consumers.”

The Premier announced ten winners in total including the South Australian Hall of Fame made possible by San Remo inductee Michael Angelakis of seafood empire Angelakis Brothers at the 12th Annual South Australian Premier’s Food Awards presentation gala dinner.

"Michael Angelakis is a great induction into the Hall of Fame,” Mr Rann said.

"Michael is dedicated to seafood from South Australia and through his popular TV program ‘Out of the Blue’ his passion for all food sectors is evident. He exposes this State and produce to international audiences and is a South Australian icon.”

The Premier also recognised 35 year old Claude Cicchiello, Managing Director of La Casa Del Formaggio, as the KPMG Young Leader Award winner.

"Claude is working within the business community, providing leadership at the ground level for up and coming food businesses, and within his own business is leading the direction with a focus on new product development,” Mr Rann said.

"The Food Awards demonstrate that the food industry in South Australia is diverse, with brands and products making their way onto the plates of consumers throughout the world,” said Mr Rann.

"Our food industry contributed a record $12.4 billion in revenue to South Australia’s economy in 2008/09 - an increase of nine per cent over the previous year. In addition, a record 146,000 people were employed in food related jobs.”

The full list of winners:

South Australian Food Industry Hall of Fame made possible by San Remo

Inductee: Michael Angelakis of Angelakis Brothers

Michael is an iconic South Australian. The Angelakis family has been synonymous with seafood in South Australia since 1920. Managing Director, Michael Angelakis has been at the helm since 1985 and leads the third generation family owned business. Today the business employs 140 people and consists of two processing & distribution plants and three retail outlets. Michael is dedicated to improving the South Australian food industry and has served on many seafood, food and tourism related boards including the Premier’s Food Council. Michael has been inducted into the Hall of Fame for his passion and promotion of South Australian food, not only seafood, but taking South Australian food to the world through his international program Out of the Blue which has been running for five years. Michael also works tirelessly for charity including 25 years as co-host for The Seafood Affair Luncheon which raises money for the Channel 9 Telethon.

KPMG Young Leader Award - Claude Cicchiello

Claude Cicchiello, 35 is Managing Director of La Casa Del Formaggio, a family business since 1988, manufacturing a range of premium quality Italian style cheeses. Employing over 50 staff and producing 30’000 kg of fresh cheese each week, Claude is responsible for the strategic direction of La Casa which has grown significantly in the last five years. Claude maintains a strong connection with the SA food industry, in particular mentoring other small family orientated businesses.

Food and Beverage Development Fund Workforce Development Award - Robern Menz

Robern Menz acknowledges that its business is as good as its people and works tirelessly to recruit, train and retrain good people in a competitive labour market. The business has an open door management style, innovative human resources program and a low staff turnover rate to show for its work. Robern Menz began in 1908 and today employs over 70 staff, manufacturing dried and glace fruit, fruit snacks, and chocolate and sugar confectionery.

Peats Soil and Garden Supplies Sustainability Award - Clean Seas Limited

Clean Seas Limited is globally recognised for its vision as one of the world’s leading producers of sustainable seafood. The catch, tow and farming of live Southern Bluefin Tuna in response to declining wild tuna numbers, show their commitment to the sustainability of the industry. With 140 staff, Clean Seas are utilising world’s best practise from hatchery or egg to the plate. They recycle 1 million litres of water per hour, have rejuvenated local mangrove swamps, are the largest employers in their community and are working towards being carbon neutral.

NAB Agribusiness Export Award - Dover Fisheries

Dover Fisheries is one of Australia’s largest abalone processors and exporters with 92% of sales being to export markets such as China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, USA and Canada. Established in 1976, with 14 staff and up to 60 during seasonal periods, Dover Fisheries has successfully introduced a non chemical, natural style canned black lipped abalone to the Hong Kong market as well as farmed abalone in collaboration with their value chain partners.

SARDI Innovation Award - Clean Seas Limited

Clean Seas Limited is globally recognised for its vision as one of the world’s leading producers of sustainable seafood. The successful breeding, hatching, growing and harvesting of Southern Bluefish Tuna in response to declining wild tuna numbers shows their unique innovation. Through extensive R&D and pilot programs with Kingfish and Mulloway, Clean Seas is the first business in the world to close the life cycle of Southern Bluefin Tuna, with 100 bred in captivity in 2009; this is expected to increase to 25’000 in 2010.

Dept of Trade and Economic Development New Product Award - Pendleton Fine Foods

Pendleton Fine Foods Blood Orange Argumato Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is made using the traditional argumato method of cold pressing fresh blood orange fruit and premium olives together. The result is distinctive, fresh zesty oil with a clean mouth feel ideal for use on salads, for basting game, poultry and fish or as vinaigrette. Pendleton Fine Foods employ 10 staff and produce a range of high quality EVOO as well as vinegars and dukkah.

Rural Solutions SA Services to Industry Award - Singapore Airlines Cargo

Singapore Airlines Cargo in Adelaide has operated online services since 1984 and currently has a team of six staff dedicated to working with the local export community. With flights direct to Singapore, they are providing local exporters access to global markets. Serving all of the major food and beverage exporters in South Australia, Singapore Airlines provide airfreight logistic solutions tailored to customer requirements as well as ensuring maintenance of the cold chain, careful load planning and advice on packaging.

Rabobank Value Adding Award - B.-d. Farm Paris Creek

B.-d. Farm Paris Creek is an integrated biodynamic business operating a dairy farm and processing premises. Beginning in 1988, they provide dairy products with no artificial colours or flavours and a property managed with no commercial insecticides, fungicides or antibiotics. Exporting to six countries and with 45 staff, B.-d. Farm Paris Creek produce biodynamic/organic milk which is then value added into flavoured milks, quark, yogurts, butter, cream and soft and hard cheeses.

Food Adelaide Value Chain Award - Dover Fisheries

Dover Fisheries value chain reaches from abalone farmers to themselves as processors and marketers through to expert seafood marketers on to the customers in Hong Kong. Their approach has come due to the need for Australian abalone farmers to differentiate their products in a highly competitive market and the need to respond to consumer demands. Dover Fisheries have created an environment in which any part of the process from farm to market can respond to consumer desire and needs with the outcome of improved profits for all in the chain.