Fifty of the state's most outstanding contributors to the food and beverage industry have been formally recognised for their achievement and innovation in the 2022 South Australian Premier's Food and Beverage Industry Awards.
Announced tonight at a Gala Dinner at the Adelaide Convention Centre, award winners include Eyrewoolf Abalone and La Casa Del Formaggio, which were both presented the highly coveted Business Excellence Award for businesses with up to and more than 15 FTEs respectively.
Haigh's Chocolates and Mike's Beef Jerky also both received the hotly contested Consumer Award, chosen after more than 10,000 public votes were cast from across the globe, while Mitani Group was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Golden North and Menz were named 'Legends for Life'; an accolade recognising the strong relationship between consumer and product, and one that is only provided to businesses that have won the Consumer Award at least three times.
A number of other businesses were also recognised across 14 other categories, selected via a robust process undertaken by 35 independent judges, led by Chair of Judging, Brenton Leitch.
Food South Australia CEO Catherine Sayer said the passion, innovation and unity of the state's food and beverage industry was in full display at the gala event, which was attended by food and beverage business owners, industry leaders and the Hon Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia.
"Announcing these awards is a proud moment for all of us at Food South Australia. It's a moment to showcase our state's best products, while formally recognising how our food and beverage industry continues to lead South Australia's business sector through innovation and growth," she said.
"All our winners, finalists and entrants are worthy of accolades, but we are this year particularly delighted to recognise Mitani Group, our Hall of Fame Inductee, for its significant and sustainable contribution to the food and beverage industry since first opening its doors in 1979. We were also pleased to present the Mental Health and Wellbeing Award, a new category sponsored by Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation, to Harvest the Fleurieu. Their commitment to enriching the working lives of their employees will no doubt be an inspiration to the broader industry."
Presented every year, the South Australian Premier's Food and Beverage Industry Awards recognise excellence, leadership, vision and innovation across the SA food and beverage industry, and are presented by Food South Australia thanks to funding support from the State Government.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the food and beverage industry in South Australia continued to be a vital part of the state's growing economy.
"The high level of entrants, finalists and award winners showcased through this year's awards shows exactly why our food and beverage industry continues be a vital part of our state's future. Not only is it an industry that showed incredible leadership through some difficult challenges over the past few years, but importantly, it continues to create new opportunities, products and services. I'm excited to keep watching these outstanding companies as they continue to grow, and take the best our state has to offer to the rest of Australia and beyond."
A full list of award winners follows:
2022 South Australian Premier's Food and Beverage Industry Awards – Winners
Business Award categories:
Business Excellence Award, sponsored by Visy
- La Casa Del Formaggio (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
- Eyrewoolf Abalone (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Emerging Business Award, sponsored by the Department for Trade and Investment
- mumamoo
Export Award, sponsored by the Department for Trade and Investment
- Yumbah Aquaculture (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
- KIN Premium Australian Seafood (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Innovation in Business Award, sponsored by the Department for Trade and Investment
- Spring Gully Foods (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
- Ashton Valley Fresh (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Innovation in Food or Beverage Award, sponsored by Food Processing Equipment
- Clean Seas Seafood (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
Mental Health and Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation
- Harvest the Fleurieu
New Product Award, sponsored by Foodland Supermarkets
- LifeStyle Bakery (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
- Bowlsome (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Primary Producer Award, sponsored by Thomas Foods International
- Ceravolo Orchards (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
- Eyrewoolf Abalone (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Sustainability Award, sponsored by Peats Soil & Garden Supplies
- La Casa Del Formaggio (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
- feather&PECK (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Service Provider Award, sponsored by Mitani Group
- Complexica (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
- Bright Engineering Consultants (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Individual Award categories:
Leader Award, sponsored by Bickford's Group
- Kevin Webb – Spring Gully Foods
Next Generation Award, sponsored by Macro Group Australia
- Alex Fazzari – Enzo's at Home
Industry nominated awards:
Education and Training Award, sponsored by the University of Adelaide
- La Casa Del Formaggio
Hall of Fame, sponsored by San Remo
- Mitani Group
Consumer Award:
Sponsored by Foodland Supermarkets
- Haigh's Chocolates (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
- Mike's Beef Jerky (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Legends for Life
- Golden North Ice Cream
- Menz
About us:
About Food South Australia
Food South Australia is the state's peak body for the food and beverage industry in South Australia. Our mission is to support and sustain the state's food and beverage industry by helping businesses of all sizes to grow their markets, business capabilities and capacity, and industry connections. Food South Australia is independent, industry-led and membership-based.
