The ABC Delicious. produce awards 2014 finalists have been announced in the magazine’s June edition.
State judges selected finalists for each state in categories of; Earth, Dairy, Paddock and Sea.
New South Wales state judge Alex Herbert said: “We’ve seen more artisan producers entering the awards than ever. Judging this year has really focused on provenance and the environmental impact of the producers, as well as their long-term sustainability.”
The finalists’ produce will be blind-tasted by a national panel of judges who will decide the overall category winners, revealed 14 July.
Awards patron Maggie Bear said the produce awards are important on many levels. “[The awards] encourage producers, [and] give them a platform to be benchmarked and celebrate the best while giving all a chance to come back the following year and be on a journey of continuous improvement. Chefs and restaurateurs gain an immediate link to what’s great, what’s exciting and of course the public then have the chance to read the stories behind the food and to understand how our food culture is growing. Every year I am excited and surprised, and I love that each year is so unique.”
Awards also being presented on 14 July include; Producer of the Year; Best New Product; Hall of Fame; Outstanding Region, Farmers’ Market and Food Store; Outstanding Innovation; Outstanding use of Regional Produce by a Chef; ABC Local Radio Community Award and Maggie Beer Award for Outstanding Contribution to Australian Food.
New South Wales Finalists
From the Paddock
Burrawong Gaian – Pasture raised chemical free chicken
Melanda Park Pork – Free-range suckling pig
Moorlands Biodynamic Lamb – Biodynamic lamb rack
Papanui Open Range Eggs – Open range eggs
Redgate Farm – Jurassic quail
Salumi Australia – Salame casareccio (Artisan category)
From the Earth
ALTO Olives – Misto table olives (Artisan category)
ALTO Olives – Vividus’ extra virgin olive oil (Artisan category)
Capertree Valley Saffron – Raw saffron threads
Carlson’s Handcrafted – Passionfruit cordial (Artisan category)
Darling Mills Farm – Watercress
Patrice Newell Garlic – Purple glamour garlic
Playing with Fire – Lemon myrtle spice (Artisan category)
Sweetness, the Patisserie – Salted vanilla caramel bonbons (Artisan category)
Sweetness, the Patisserie – Caramel slice (Artisan category)
From The Sea
Brilliant Food – Smoked kingfish (Artisan category)
Tathra Oysters – Bistro grade oysters
From the Dairy
Pecora Dairy – Bloomy white (Artisan category)
Willowbrae Chevre Cheese – Fresh goat curd (Artisan category)
For a full list of finalists, click here.