Page 15 - Demo

EVENT Food South Australia CEO Catherine Sayer. Hon Steven Marshall MP, Premier of South Australia. Consumer Award Winner (>15 FTE) – Robern Menz. Phil Sims, L, Robern Menz and Lisa Palmer, R, Statewide Super. 2020 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PREMIER’S FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY AWARDS PWremium food and beverage producers that have become synonymous with South Australia’s international reputation were among those honoured by the state this month. inners announced at the 2020 South Australian “The sector has grown in 2020, even through the difficult Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards year that we have endured,” he said. Gala Dinner at the Adelaide Convention Centre “The sector is characterised by excellence in food and were being celebrated for representing the “grit beverage production, manufacturing and marketing to ensure and resilience” of the industry in the state “in this new Covid- that Australian products are rewarded by more than their fair normal world”, according to Food South Australia CEO Catherine Sayer, delivering the opening address. Ms Sayer offered an insight into the work carried out by the association together with many areas of government through Covid, helping industry to navigate the times and overcome the challenges. “When we launched the 2020 South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards, we already knew this year’s theme of ‘Sharing our Stories’ was very appropriate,” she said. “As everyone has been saying all year, none of us expected what 2020 has served to us, so it has been especially inspiring to learn the stories behind the winning businesses in this year’s awards. “The challenges of 2020 aren’t the first obstacles many of our winners have overcome, but in this new Covid-normal world, the grit and resilience of an industry that is so important to South Australia’s economic wellbeing is being celebrated tonight.” With the awards program having “showcased innovation and excellence in our industry for more than 20 years”, Ms Sayer said these were “the businesses that have helped drive growth for the sector, created brands known across Australia and internationally, and helped build our state’s reputation for premium products across the globe”. SA Premier Steven Marshall congratulated the food and beverage industry on its hard work and innovation. share of the retail and foodservice market.” Winners included “quiet achievers” such as Dinko Tuna Farmers and Lifestyle Bakery, and “consumer favourites” Alexandrina Cheese Company and Robern Menz. The 2020 inductee into the Awards Hall of Fame was Mitolo Family Farms, which specialises in combining traditional farming techniques with the latest technology, supplying quality produce to Australian families for almost half a century. This year’s Leader Award was presented to Michael Horrocks of Lifestyle Bakery in recognition of his “innovative leadership in developing the gluten free bakery sector”, while the Next Generation Award, created to recognise an up and coming industry professional, was awarded to Kieran Donoghue of Safcol Australia. The Emerging Business Award went to Never Never Distilling Co, makers of Australia’s first Grenache gin, while Golden North’s Simply Indulge range of ice cream and Goolwa PipiCo’s Whole Clam Chowder won New Product Awards this year. The South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards program recognises excellence, leadership, vision and innovation. Interest in the program and in South Australian products has continued to grow this year, with a 15 per cent increase in entries and more than 11,000 consumers voting for their favourite business for the Consumer Award. NOV, 2020 RETAIL WORLD 13