Tasting 20 years of success
The taste of success is very sweet, especially for the 2018 winners in the South Australian Food Industry Awards, revealed tonight at the South Australian food and beverage industry's night of nights.
This is the 20th year of these awards, an achievement worth celebrating in its own right, says Food South Australia CEO Catherine Sayer.
"From their beginnings as the Food and Fibre awards 20 years ago, this awards program has grown in stature and is now recognised as an indicator of excellence and innovation," said Ms Sayer.
"Tonight, our guests entered the 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner through our very own 'Hall of Fame gallery', featuring all the inductees in the Awards Hall of Fame. It was a great moment for all of us to pause and appreciate so many achievements over that time by businesses that have grown from small enterprises to international brands, and others who have led the way with world firsts and innovative new approaches to food and beverage manufacturing.
"Throughout our time managing the awards program, we have worked to develop it to reflect these contributions, introducing new award categories such as this year's Next Generation Award, which recognises the up and coming generation of industry professionals who will lead future innovations.
"So it was a special pleasure to see Tony Ceravolo, a third generation orchardist and Managing Director of Ceravolo Orchards announced as the recipient of Leader Award and his daughter Joyce announced as the inaugural winner of the Next Generation Award. Tony has long worked towards a thriving industry for all, and Joyce, who is making her mark leading the implementation of best practice in zero waste and sustainability processes, is also keen to encourage more women in the food and beverage industry into leadership roles."
We were also delighted to announce the establishment of the Consumer Award Legend and there could be no arguing over the inaugural inductee – Robern Menz. This company represents so much about what is great in our industry – a passion for excellence, the dedication to our state that underpins their business, and a product that thousands of consumers have again and again told us is their favourite.
"We are very proud that many applicants to the South Australian Food Industry Awards tell us the process of applying gives them an important opportunity to take a look at their business and find ways to evolve and innovate, whether they end up as winners or not," said Ms Sayer.
"In this way, we know the awards program is delivering practical benefits to businesses large and small industry-wide and across the whole of South Australia."
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone said the worthy winners and finalists are outstanding examples of South Australia's growing premium food and beverage industry.
"Congratulations to all the winners of the 2018 South Australian Food Industry Awards, who uphold a strong reputation for their high quality products and are well respected within the industry," he said.
"It is important to recognise businesses through the South Australian Food Industry Awards and highlight the vital role they play in underpinning the state's economy and creating jobs.
"The State Government is proud to work in partnership with Food South Australia with the shared goal of supporting industry wide growth and the South Australian Food Industry Awards program is supported through this collaboration."
The night's celebrations extended beyond the announcement of this year's winners to usher in a new era for the awards program as the South Australian Premier's Food & Beverage Industry Awards from 2019.
-Ends (Full list of winners overleaf)
