The 2023 South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards has announced the winners at the annual Gala Dinner event on 10 November, with businesses recognised for their exceptional accomplishments and contribution to the food and beverage manufacturing industry. 
Setting a benchmark in brilliance were Business Excellence category winners, with three distinctly different manufacturers taking their slice of the cake. Yumbah Aquaculture was recognised for its data driven decision making and dedication to research investment, Haigh’s Chocolates for its business strategy and customer centric approach. The Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co was also recognised for Business Excellence after strengthening its business and managing challenges resulting from the 2020 bushfires with the company also winning the Education and Training award.
At a time when mental health and wellbeing is so important, Spring Gully Foods was recognised for its workplace wellbeing initiatives, and the ongoing commitment to supporting the welfare of its people.
In a highly competitive category decided by public vote, South Australian icons, Beerenberg and Kytons Bakery each clinched the popular Consumer Award, while another favourite, La Casa Del Formaggio was inducted into the Hall of Fame, a testament to its enduring impact and ongoing high-level success, after recently moving into its expansive new state of the art facility.
The regions were strongly represented with Almondco, Fleurieu Milk Company, Harvest the Fleurieu, Good Country Hemp and Sundrop Farms also among the award winners.
Food South Australia CEO Marni Cook says the sense of community was on full display at the gala dinner appropriately themed ‘A Shared Experience’ and attended by members and friends of the food and beverage industry alongside the Governor of South Australia, and the Premier, who continue to support these important awards each year.
“Revealing the winners fills us with immense pride. It marks an occasion to shine a light on the finest businesses and products our state has to offer, and to officially acknowledge the industry’s ongoing role in propelling the state’s manufacturing sector forward”, Ms Cook said.
“All of the participants are worthy of accolades and it’s inspiring to witness the strong competition and high-quality submissions in categories such as Export, Sustainability, Innovation, and Education & Training, which are areas crucial to the future growth and relevance of our businesses in South Australia”, she continued.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the food and beverage industry in South Australia remains a vital part of the state’s growing economy.
“The high level of entrants, finalists and award winners showcased in this year’s awards reflects the passion, innovation and dedication that characterises our food and beverage industry. Not only is it an industry that has shown incredible leadership through challenging times, but importantly, it continues to innovate and create new opportunities, products and services, which significantly contribute to our state and its economy.”
“I’m proud to partner with Food South Australia to recognise our state’s best through this awards program, which is a benchmark for excellence and best practice in the food and beverage industry, providing entrants with valuable input from industry experts, fostering connections and growing business capabilities,” he said.
“I’m excited to keep watching these outstanding companies as they continue to grow, and take the best our state has to offer to the rest of Australia and beyond.”
2023 South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards – Winners
Business Award categories:
Business Excellence Award, sponsored by Visy
- The Kangaroo Island Liguarian Bee Co (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
- Yumbah Aquaculture (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
- Haigh’s Chocolates (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs).
Education and Training Award, sponsored by the University of Adelaide
- The Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
- Fleurieu Milk Company (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs).
Emerging Business Award, sponsored by La Casa Del Formaggio
- Local Kitchen Co.
Export Award, sponsored by the Department for Trade and Investment
- Pure Origins (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
- Almondco Australia (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs).
Innovation in Business Award, sponsored by Mitani Group
- Australian Native Food Co.
Innovation in Food or Beverage Award, sponsored by Food Processing Equipment
- Continental Taralli Biscuits (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
- Harris Smokehouse (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs).
Mental Health and Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation
- Spring Gully Foods.
New Product Award, sponsored by Foodland Supermarkets
- Good Country Hemp (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
- Golden North (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs).
Primary Producer Award, sponsored by Thomas Foods International
- Harvest the Fleurieu (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
- Sundrop Farms (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs).
Sustainability Award, sponsored by Peats Soil & Garden Supplies
- Harvest the Fleurieu (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
- Enzo’s at Home (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs).
Service Provider Award, sponsored by Madderns
- South Australian Analytical Laboratory Services (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
- Barkuma (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs).
Individual Award categories:
Leader Award, sponsored by Bickford’s Group
- Fulvio Pagani – Rio Coffee.
Next Generation Award, sponsored by Macro Group Australia
- Ryan Sherry – Harvest the Fleurieu.
Industry nominated awards:
Hall of Fame, sponsored by San Remo
- La Casa Del Formaggio.
Consumer Award:
Sponsored by Foodland Supermarkets
- Kytons Bakery (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
- Beerenberg (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs).
