The winners of the FOOD Challenge Awards were presented with their awards at a Gala dinner held on July 11th at Sydney’s Daltone House.
The Awards recognise and reward brand owner excellence in food manufacture.
Brand owners can enter products produced over the last year, which are then judged based on the level of innovation shown in the following areas: processing, safety, marketing, export and packaging.
A winner and highly commended were awarded in each of ten categories.
Winners are as follows:
Best in show
Sponsored by Heat and Control
Winner: Wine Chocolates, Farm by Nature
Confectionery Award
Sponsored by Peacock Bros
Winner: Wine Chocolates, Farm by Nature
Highly commended: Well Naturally Sugar Free Chocolate Block with Mint Crisp, Vitality Brands Worldwide
Ready meals Award
Sponsored by Kerry Ingredients
Winner: Captain Birds Eye Chicken and Vegetable Patties, Simplot
Highly commended: Gourmet Salad Range, Mrs Crocket’s Fast and Fresh
Soup and prepared foods Award
Sponsored by Flavour Makers
Winner: Greenseas Tuna and Salmon Varieties
Highly commended: HJ Heinz
Snack foods Award
Sponsored by Earlee Products
Winner: Whole Kids Organic Sea Salt Popcorn, Nourish Foods
Highly commended: Sue’s Own Deli-Puffs, Highlands Cereal Foods
Meat and smallgoods Award
Sponsored by Ibex Group
Winner: Beef Ribs Slow Cooked in Barbeque Baste, Creative Food Solutions
Highly commended: Hans Bites, Hans Continental Smallgoods
Dairy Award
Sponsored by Danisco
Winner: a2 milk, A2 Australia
Highly commended: Bliss Ice Cream Gallery, Buderim Ginger
Alcoholic beverages Award
Sponsored by Imaje
Winner: Babicka Original Wormwood Vodka, Babicka Vodka
Highly commended: Brightlight Wines, JMB Beverages
Non-alcoholic beverages Award
Sponsored by Tronics
Winner: Edenvale, JMB Beverages
Highly commended: Diet Rite, P&N Beverages
Baked goods Award
Sponsored by insignia
Winner: Lifestyle Range Fig & Pecan Cookie, Byron Bay Cookie Company
Highly commended: Macadamia and Brandy Log
Health and wellness Award
Sponsored by Amcor
Winner: Rice Bran Oil Spread, Old Fashioned Foods
Highly commended: 100 Healthy Calories Range, Freedom Nutritional Products