Fine Food Australia wrapped up

Fine Food Australia 2023 has wrapped after a successful exhibition with tens of thousands of attendees over four days at Sydney ICC.

Over 850 Australian and international exhibitors were out in force representing the spectrum of supplier markets to the food industry. The event brought together food experts, industry masters, baristas and chefs from around the country for presentations and demonstrations.

There were many entrants in this year’s competitions.

“The calibre of entrants this year in all the competitions was incredibly impressive,” said Event Manager Andrew Lawson. “We have such a talented and thriving food scene in Australia with a phenomenal range of innovation. It’s always such an exciting part of the show to see the winners named and rewarded for their hard work.”

The winners were:

Nestle Golden Chef’s Hat Award

• Winner: Jimmy Han, NSW

ACF Culinary Challenge

• Most Outstanding Chef 2023 winner: Sze Theng Chai, NSW
• Most Outstanding Pastry Chef of the Year winner: Remold Fernando, Vic
• Legumes from Europe winner: Don Sherman, Vic
• Tabasco Hot 100 winner: Brendan Fong, Hubert, NSW
• Tabasco Team Challenge winner: Simmer Culinary, Andrew Ballard, Vic & Li Zhang, Silver Medal
• Yum Cha Challenge winner: HDL Restaurant, Coco Yuan & Courtney Cox, Silver Medal

Tabasco National Apprentice Competition

• 1st Year Apprentice winner: Tess Gurling, ACT
• 2nd Year Apprentice winner: Garam Han, Vic
• Final Year Apprentice winner: Pippa Macpherson, Vic
• Culinary Student winner: Marianne Cullen, ACT
• Champion Apprentice 2023 winner: Garam Han, Vic

Bake Skills Australia

• Champion Young Baker winner: Rebecca Tracey, CJ’s Bakery, SA
• Australia’s Best Pastry Apprentice winner: Carla Penza, Gumnut Patisserie, NSW

Fine Food Australia Innovation Awards

• Best Retail Product: Potato Utopia Parmesan, Garlic & Basil Flavoured Fries, Potato Utopia
• Best Bakery Product: Farcimax Lemon Curd, PreGel Australia
• Best Foodservice Product: John West Protein+ Tuna Pouches, Simplot Foodservice

The Official Great Aussie Pie Competition

• Plain Meat Pie winner: Paradise Bakehouse, Innes Park, Qld
• Gourmet Pie winner: Rolling Pin Pies & Cakes, Ocean Grove, Vic
• Plain Sausage Roll winner: Jack’s Bakery, Halls Head, WA
• Traditional Pastie winner: Banana Boogie Bakery, Belair, SA
• Gourmet Sausage Roll winner: New York Cakes, Miranda, NSW

Battle of the Sanga

• Winner: Michael Filipovski, Pinos Dolce Vita, NSW

This year, Fine Food Australia was backed by Platinum Sponsor MILKLAB, as well at the NSW Government through Investment NSW and major sponsors Mayers Fine Foods and Square. The event was also supported by other industry and government partners including 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.

Next year’s show will be the 40th anniversary of the event.

Image caption: The Official Great Aussie Pie Competition judges. Image: Supplied.