The South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards saw entries up by 50% this year, a huge vote for the Consumer Award and record attendance at the Awards Gala Dinner, where the 2021 winners have been revealed.
The 2021 roll call of winners spans smaller and new enterprises through to household names and highlights the industry’s responsiveness to global consumer trends, says Food South Australia CEO Catherine Sayer.
“The South Australian food and beverage industry is renowned for passion and persistence. The 2021 winners are examples of how this pays off for forward-focused businesses who are determined to ‘turn the page’ on the disruptions of the last 18 months.”
Food South Australia hosts the awards, which are presented each year with funding support through the State Government and include a full year’s program of activities to support the development of industry capability and best practice, while a total of 29 experienced industry professionals participate in the independent judging panels for the award categories.
The 2021 Awards theme of ‘Turning the Page’ has resonated with both industry and the State Government. Premier Steven Marshall says the Government’s long association with these awards recognises the importance of the food and beverage industry to the South Australian economy.
“There are exciting chapters still to be written by the winning businesses and the State Government is proud to partner with Food South Australia to present these awards each year,” the Premier said.
“The record levels of engagement with this year’s awards is a sign of just how determined and resourceful these businesses are in the face of challenges such as Covid-19. I congratulate all the winners on their achievements,” he said.
The program has also been expanded this year to provide even more benefits to those businesses who participate.
“We recognise that businesses invest time in the process of entering the awards and that the program has to deliver benefits that support industry-wide growth,” Ms Sayer said. “This year’s entrants, finalists and winners have also had the opportunity to engage with a comprehensive program designed to develop retail readiness through a partnership with Foodland Supermarkets,” she said.
2021 has also seen the introduction of a new Consumer Award Legend, with Golden North Ice Cream completing its hat trick of winning the award three times. South Australia’s favourite ice cream now joins Robern Menz in the exclusive Consumer Award Legend club.
2021 winners
Business Award categories:
Business Excellence Award, sponsored by Visy
Winner – Businesses with up to 15 FTEs: Ashton Valley Fresh
Winner – Businesses with more than 15 FTEs: Robern Menz
Emerging Business Award, sponsored by the Department for Trade and Investment
Good Country Hemp
Export Award, sponsored by the Department for Trade and Investment
Winner – Businesses with up to 15 FTEs: Never Never Distilling Co
Winner – Businesses with more than 15 FTEs: Bickford’s Group
Innovation in Business Award, sponsored by the Department for Trade and Investment
Winner – Businesses with up to 15 FTEs: KIN Premium Australian Seafood
Winner – Businesses with more than 15 FTEs: Zerella Fresh
Innovation in Food or Beverage Award, sponsored by Food Processing Equipment
Winner – Businesses with up to 15 FTEs: Ashton Valley Fresh
Winner – Businesses with more than 15 FTEs: Slape and Sons
New Product Award, sponsored by Foodland Supermarkets
Winner – Businesses with up to 15 FTEs: mumamoo
Winner – Businesses with more than 15 FTEs: VOK Beverages
Primary Producer Award, sponsored by Thomas Foods International
Winner – Businesses with up to 15 FTEs: KIN Premium Australian Seafood
Winner – Businesses with more than 15 FTEs: Yumbah Aquaculture
Sustainability Award, sponsored by Peats Soil & Garden Supplies
Winner – Businesses with up to 15 FTEs: Dinko Tuna
Winner – Businesses with more than 15 FTEs: Ceravolo Orchards
Service Provider Award, sponsored by Mitani Group
Winner – Businesses with up to 15 FTEs: Adelaide Showgrounds Farmers’ Market
Winner – Businesses with more than 15 FTEs: Madderns Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys
Individual Award categories:
Leader Award, sponsored by Bickford’s Group
Winner – Claude Cicchiello, La Casa Del Formaggio
Next Generation Award, sponsored by Macro Group Australia
Winner – Renee Pye, Zerella Fresh
Industry nominated awards:
Education and Training Award, sponsored by the University of Adelaide
Winner – Costa Citrus
Hall of Fame, sponsored by San Remo
The 2021 inductee into the Hall of Fame is Macro Group Australia
Consumer Award sponsored by Foodland Supermarkets
Winner – Businesses with up to 15 FTEs: Continental Taralli Biscuits
Winner – Businesses with more than 15 FTEs and Consumer Award Legend: Golden North Ice Cream.
