This year’s Fine Food Australia event is set to feature more exciting demonstrations, competitions, activations and products than ever before.
More than 100 top food experts, industry masters, baristas and Australia’s most exciting young chefs from around the country will take to the various stages at the Southern Hemisphere’s leading food industry event, which will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 5-8 September 2022.
That’s in addition to over 650 Australian and international exhibitors who will be representing the food industry, featuring thousands of new product innovations, technology and service ideas from areas including catering equipment, bakery, front of house, food products, beverages, hospitality and retail technology, meat and seafood, packaging and much more.
“The sheer visual aspect of the event creates such an electric atmosphere and really celebrates the joy of food,” says Product and Event Manager Andrew Lawson.
“We have everything this year from onion to yum cha challenges, to robots and latte art. There are innovative challenges and fantastic products to the most prestigious cooking contests in Australia with industry coming from far and wide to attend. We’re thrilled to have so many amazing competitions, activations and products on offer this year and will truly be putting on a show to remember.”
Talking Shop speaker series
Sponsored by MILKLAB, the numerous Talking Shop sessions tackle the hurdles and opportunities in the business of food making it a must-stop shop for business owners.
Latte Art demonstration: MILKLAB master barista Hany Ezzat will share some of his best tips and tricks for texturing and stretching plant-based milks as he demonstrates the perfect pour.
Talking Trends speaker series
Sponsored by BioPak, and powered by Food Industry Foresight, the Talking Trends Stage featuring learned experts is an invaluable opportunity to keep up with key industry trends.
There’s a Robot in My Kitchen – robot waiter demonstrations: Hospitality expert Rod Fowler takes a look at the latest amazing robot technology and how it is being applied to foodservice. Robot waiters from Bear Robotics and JNS will be demonstrated in talks and on the floor.
The Source Kitchen education series
Curated by food consultancy Straight To The Source, The Source Kitchen will be featuring many must-see food demonstrations of the year.
Onion challenge: Five top chefs Kay-Lene Tan, Brendan Katich, Dylan Sanding, Telina Menzies and Teri Lichtenstein go head-to-head in a competition to create the most innovative dish – including dessert – that celebrate the humble onion.
High Tea with a Twist sampling: Creative producers and chefs including Eddie Stewart from Tokyo Lamington will showcase the most innovate and unusual high tea offerings.
Boom Get your Wild Game on with Mushrooms demonstration: Master pâtissier Christopher Thé and Macro group’s Clayton Graham demonstrate how game meats such as kangaroo, venison and wild boar can be creatively combined with mushrooms.
Competitions
Nestlè Golden Chef’s Hat: Australia’s longest-running culinary competition dedicated to helping junior and apprentice chefs broaden their culinary horizons includes five awards – Nestlé Golden Chef of the Year; Best Savoury Dish; Best Dessert Dish; Most Creative Use of a Nestlé Product; and Most Sustainable Approach Award.
ACF Culinary Challenge: Chefs, trainees and apprentices battle it out against the clock, competing for cash and prestige. Categories include the Tabasco Australian Culinary Challenge; Tabasco Team challenge; Yum Cha Challenge; and Lakanto Pastry Apprentice and Trainee of the Year.
Bake Skills prize: The Bake Skills Australia National Pastry Chef Championships and The Bake Skills Australia National Baking Championships, showcases the most talented generation young bakers and pastry chefs.
The Official Great Aussie Pie Competition: Categories in this year’s competition, now in its 33rd year includes Plain Meat Pie – Plain, Chunky and Plain/Chunky Combo; Gourmet Pie, Red Meat, Poultry, Game, Vegetarian, Seafood, Gluten Free, Apple, Brekkie Pie, and Gourmet Sausage Roll.
Demonstrations
Australian Speciality Coffee Association Coffee Stage latte art: Features latte art ‘throwdowns’, cupping competitions and demonstrations of the latest equipment.
Artisan Bakery demonstrations: Includes demonstrations led by some of the industry’s greatest talent such as a masterclass on sourdough pastries and sourdough breads by Kim Hol from Portland Bakehouse.
Innovation in Patisserie dessert activations: Showcases Vanrooy’s high-end Patisserie equipment and features Kirsten Tibballs from SBS TV series The Chocolate Queen in her demonstration, Cooking with NXT Callebaut’s latest vegan chocolate; and chef Elijah Holland on Sweet Foraged Desserts with ingredients hand foraged.
For more information and the full program. visit finefoodaustralia.com.au.