Fine Food Australia 2023 has celebrated the best of the Australian food and beverage manufacturing industry by naming its winners, capping off a successful event that took place from 11 to 14 September 2023 at Sydney’s International Convention & Exhibition Centre.
The event, which concluded last week, attracted tens of thousands of attendees and featured over 850 Australian and international exhibitors, showcasing the full spectrum of the supplier market for the food industry.
Event Manager Andrew Lawson expressed his excitement, stating, “The calibre of participants in all the competitions this year was incredibly impressive. Australia boasts a highly talented and dynamic food industry with a phenomenal range of innovations.”
He added, “It’s always an exhilarating part of the show to witness the announcement of winners who are being duly recognised for their hard work.”
Among the notable winners was Jimmy Han from New South Wales, who won the Nestle Golden Chef’s Hat Award at the ACF Culinary Challenge; Sze Theng Chai from NSW, who claimed the title of Most Outstanding Chef for 2023; and Remold Fernando from Victoria, crowned Most Outstanding Pastry Chef of the Year.
Don Sherman, hailing from Victoria, impressed judges with his creation in the Legumes from Europe category. In the Tabasco Hot 100 competition, Brendan Fong of Hubert from NSW, was recognised for his exceptional culinary skills.
Meanwhile, the Tabasco Team Challenge saw Simmer Culinary’s Andrew Ballard and Li Zhang from Victoria clinching the Silver Medal, and the Yum Cha Challenge honoured HDL Restaurant’s Coco Yuan and Courtney Cox with Silver Medals.
In the Tabasco National Apprentice Competition, rising talents showcased their prowess as Tess Gurling from the ACT secured the first-year Apprentice title, while Garam Han from Victoria excelled as the second-year Apprentice.
Pippa Macpherson, also from Victoria, shone as the Final Year Apprentice, and Marianne Cullen from the ACT was recognised as an outstanding culinary student. The Champion Apprentice of 2023 title was bestowed upon Garam Han from Victoria.
Bake Skills Australia showcased the nation’s baking talents, and Rebecca Tracey from CJ’s Bakery in South Australia was named the Champion Young Baker, while Carla Penza from Gumnut Patisserie in NSW received the title of Australia’s Best Pastry Apprentice.
Meanwhile, Potato Utopia Parmesan, Garlic & Basil Flavored Fries by Potato Utopia claimed the Best Retail Product award. In the bakery category, Farcimax Lemon Curd by PreGel Australia secured the title of Best Bakery Product. The Best Foodservice Product honour went to John West Protein+ Tuna Pouches, presented by Simplot Foodservice.
The Official Great Aussie Pie Competition was a feast of flavours as Paradise Bakehouse in Innes Park, Queensland, crafted the winning Plain Meat Pie.
Rolling Pin Pies & Cakes from Ocean Grove took top honours in the Gourmet Pie category. Jack’s Bakery in Halls Head, WA, wowed judges with its Plain Sausage Roll.
The Traditional Pastie category was won by Banana Boogie Bakery in Belair, SA, while New York Cakes in Miranda, NSW, created the Gourmet Sausage Roll.
Lastly, the Battle of the Sanga competition culminated in victory for Michael Filipovski of Pinos Dolce Vita in NSW.
“Next year marks the 40th anniversary of Fine Food Australia, and we are already gearing up for an extraordinary event. We are immensely proud to lead the food industry show in this country and look forward to celebrating every facet of the industry once again,” Lawson concluded.
Fine Food Australia 2023 received strong support from Platinum Sponsor MILKLAB and the NSW Government through strategic partner, Investment NSW, along with major sponsors Mayers Fine Foods and Square.
Other vital industry and government partners included Austrade, Australian Culinary Federation (ACF), Australian Food Service Advocacy Body (AFAB), Food Service Suppliers Association of Australia (FSAA), National Association of Food Equipment Suppliers (NAFES), Export Connect, and Foodie Coaches.
