Spring 2008 Fine Food Show Highlights

The Spring 2008 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show featured six separate Competitions, including Aquaculture, Olive Oil, Deli Meat, Regional Food, Branded Beef and for the first time in 2008, Branded Lamb.

The inaugural Sydney Royal Branded Lamb Competition showcased the strength and quality of Australia’s lamb industry. Regarded as one of the toughest competitions in the industry for its uncompromising standards all but one of the lamb products judged received a medal. Two Gold medals were awarded, one from a South Australian Exhibitor and one from Western Australia.

The first ever Gold medal to an Angasi Oyster entry was awarded in the Aquaculture Competition this year, as well as two Gold medals to a Queensland Barramundi producer. There were 14 medals awarded, signifying the outstanding and increasing quality of entries in the Competition.

The Olive Oil Competition saw a 12% increase in entries, with a large amount in the flavoured olive oils and olive products classes. There were 67 medals were awarded overall, including five Gold medals, to Victorian and South Australian Exhibitors.

Six Champion products from the Sydney Royal Wine, Dairy and Fine Food Shows will be nominated for the RAS President’s Medal. Now in its fourth year, the award is widely recognised and respected, giving winning products a competitive edge in their respective industries.

This year’s Competitions were greatly enhanced by the contributions of our Sponsors. Meat & Livestock Australia expanded their sponsorship this year to include the inaugural Branded Lamb Competition as well as the Branded Beef Competition. Steersons Steakhouse sponsored the Branded Beef Competition; the Branded Lamb Competition was sponsored by Georges Mediterranean Bar and Grill; the Sydney Fish Markets sponsored the Aquaculture Competition; the NSW Food Authority supported the Champion Regional Food Exhibit; Olivegrower and Processor Magazine proudly supported the Olive Oil Competition and the Deli Meat Competition was supported by Kerry Ingredients. I would like to thank all our sponsors for their continued support in making the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show an outstanding showpiece for agricultural Competition in Australia.