ABC delicious. 2012 Produce Awards

16/7/2012

As you probably know, F&T has a sister website Australian Regional Food Guide, a directory site which aims at helping people make contact with great Australian producers. For this reason we were delighted to be invited to this year's ABC delicious. Produce Awards.

FYI this is Australia's biggest-selling glossy food magazine, celebrating food and the people who produce it, including renowned chefs, such as Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson, and passionate Australian cooks.

The Awards were divided into the origin of the produce - earth, sea, paddock dairy - and judge by a team of top food writers, editors and producers.

The night was a glittering affair at Brisbane's Stokehouse Restaurant which was packed with around 250 of the country's top food people. Master of Ceremonies was Matt Preston, best known for his appearances on TV on MasterChef.

So, without further ado, (as they say in all the best awards) the winners are:

FROM THE SEA

Tathra Oysters, NSW (Primary). The panel swooned over these Sydney rock oysters, grown in the pristine waters of Mimosa Rocks National Park on the NSW south coast. "They tasted as if they were plucked straight from the sea," says Alla Wolf-Tasker.

The Stock Merchant Sustainable Crab Stock, NSW (Artisan). This innovative new product was praised by judge Martin Boetz for its delicate balance of flavour and restaurant quality, as well as its sustainability.

FROM THE DAIRY

Barambah Organics All Natural Yoghurt, Qld (Primary). Queensland ruled the Dairy category this year, with seasoned performer Barambah Organics taking top honours for their luscious, perfectly balanced natural yoghurt.

The Cedar Street Cheeserie Buffalo Haloumi, Qld (Artisan). Trevor Hart makes this handmade haloumi using milk from a dairy near his micro-cheeserie in Maleny. "Haloumi has traditionally been done better overseas, but we're now hitting the mark in Australia," says Simon Marnie.

FROM THE PADDOCK

SchuAm Berkshire Pork, SA (Primary & Producer Of The Year). This Berkshire pork from the Barossa, with its delicate, marbled meat and nutty flavour, was a standout. "The heritage breed, the feed and the way the pigs live all influence the outstanding flavour," says Maggie Beer.

Pure Pie Braised Beef, Red Wine & Rosemary Pie, Vic (Artisan). Pure Pie's recipe for braised beef in a rich red wine gravy with rosemary is one for success. "The beauty of these handmade pies is in their freshness and simplicity," says Valli Little.

FROM THE EARTH

Otway Forest Shiitake Mushrooms, Vic (Primary). The national judges were captivated by these velvety Asian mushrooms, delivered in fairytale style on the eucalyptus log they were grown on in Victoria's Otway Rainforest.

Sweetness The Patisserie Florentines, NSW (Artisan). In the artisan category these petite Florentines were a sweet success. "They're made from good, honest ingredients, sourced with integrity, and that's what we were looking for," says Simon Marnie.

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

SchuAm Berkshire Pork, SA (Primary) See above.

BEST NEW PRODUCT

Otway Forest Shiitake Mushrooms, Vic (Primary) See above.

The Cedar Street Cheeserie Buffalo Haloumi, Qld (Artisan) See above.

HALL OF FAME

Mondo White Rocks Veal, WA. This benchmark product joins Blackmore Wagyu Beef, Holy Goat Cheese La Luna andSpanner Crabs Noosa in the Hall of Fame. "This veal is an amazing product and in high demand here and overseas," says Philip Johnson.

OUTSTANDING FARMERS� MARKET

Gasworks Farmers' Market, Albert Park, Vic. "At Gasworks you see restaurateurs, chefs, bloggers and home cooks all mingling together," says Victorian state judge Paul Wilson. "This Melbourne market gives exposure to Victoria's best suppliers all in one arena."

THE REGIONAL AWARD

Daylesford Macedon Ranges, Vic. This region is widely recognized as the driving force behind Victoria's food scene. "Nowhere else in Australia are the results of a new, sustainable and organic approach to food as evident," says John Lethlean.

OUTSTANDING USE OF REGIONAL PRODUCE BY A CHEF

Annie Smithers, Annie Smithers' Bistrot, Vic "Annie's wonderful regional restaurant just keeps getting stronger, thanks to her uncompromising attitude to produce," says Matt Preston of chef Annie, who's acclaimed for her eponymous Kyneton restaurant.

HERITAGE AWARD

Duncan Garvey, Perigord Truffles of Tasmania, Tas. "Duncan has invested a huge amount into what was an unknown product in the southern hemisphere 17 years ago," says Tasmanian state judge Daniel Alps of the man who has pioneered the truffle industry in Australia.

OUTSTANDING PROVEDORE

John Susman, Fisheads Seafood Strategy, NSW. "John knows more about seafood than anyone else in the country," says Necia Wilden of this passionate seafood advocate and pioneer of sustainable fishing practices.

ABC LOCAL RADIO COMMUNITY AWARD

Penelope Dodd, Produce to the People Tasmania, Tas. Penelope's organisation collects excess produce from people's gardens to deliver to hundreds of families in need.

MAGGIE BEER AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO AUSTRALIAN FOOD

Joe Grilli, Primo Estate, SA. "Joe has been at the forefront of the olive oil industry in this country," says Maggie Beer. "His Joseph Extra Virgin Olive Oil showed me 20 years ago what was possible for a benchmark oil in Australia."

ABC delicious. magazine congratulates all the winners of the 2012 Produce Awards. The complete story and full list of winners and medallists will appear in the August issue of ABC delicious. on sale Wednesday 18 July 2012.