2011 Winners
FOOD INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Some of South Australia’s finest food businesses have been recognised at the Premier’s Food Industry Awards, announced at the Adelaide Convention Centre on 25 November.
There’s a complete meal in the winners list including three meat producers, a condiments
manufacturer and a potato grower, processor and distributor.
Richard Gunner’s Fine Meats – which already boasts a swag of awards for its gourmet beef, lamb and range of deli meats – took out the Fostering Value Chain and Developing Markets (Domestic) awards.
Carisma Potatoes was named the Leading Innovation Award winner for developing Australia’s first low GI potato, while Fruchocs brainchild Robern Menz is the Understanding Consumers recipient.
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Tourism, Gail Gago, said it was great to see a mix of
regional, family and emerging businesses and individuals celebrated for their success.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners who are helping to put South Australia on the map for our outstanding food products in addition to our reputation for wine,” the Minister said.
“Early estimates indicate gross food revenue for South Australia grew by more than 10 percent during 2010-11 to a record $13.7 billion.
“A large part of this growth can be attributed to the record $3.47 billion worth of exports to our overseas trading partners, particularly due to the excellent seasonal conditions experienced by the grain and meat sectors.
“The growth experienced this year shows we are on track to meet the new State Strategic Plan target to grow the contribution made by the South Australian food industry to $20 billion by 2020.”
Ms Gago announced livestock handlers, abattoir and meat processor T&R Pastoral as this year’s SA Food Industry Hall of Fame inductee.
Food icon Maggie Beer and chef Cole Thomas were also recognised for their commitment and leadership to the industry, with prestigious Visionary Leader awards.
“Maggie was instrumental 15 years ago in shifting the focus of the State Government to recognise the importance of supporting the food industry in South Australia,” the Minister said.
Sunrise presenter Nuala Hafner hosted last night’s gala presentation dinner, which featured a four course menu with local produce matched by Adelaide Hills wines.
This year’s “the art of food” theme was celebrated at the dinner, with an exhibition of food-related art.
2011 SA Premier’s Food Industry Awards winners:
South Australian Food Industry Hall of Fame made possible by San Remo
T&R Pastoral (Murray Bridge)
Innovate SA Visionary Leader (Industry)
Maggie Beer (Barossa Valley)
Innovate SA Visionary Leader (Young)
Cole Thomas (Adelaide)
Food & Beverage Development Fund SA Valuing Workforce Development
Spring Gully Foods (Adelaide)
Peats Soil and Garden Supplies Creating Sustainability
Savannah Lamb (Clare)
Beerenberg Developing Markets
Domestic: Richard Gunner’s Fine Meats Adelaide Hills (processing) / South East (farming)
International: AgriExchange (Riverland)
Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society Fostering Value Chain
Richard Gunner’s Fine Meats Adelaide Hills (processing) / South East (farming)
Bickford’s Australia Growing Small Business
Lifestyle Bakery (Adelaide)
SARDI Leading Innovation
Carisma Potatoes (Adelaide Plains)
DMITRE Servicing Industry
TAFE SA Regency International Centre (Adelaide)
Foodland SA Understanding Consumers
Robern Menz (Adelaide)
