The nation’s top chefs, future stars and innovators named at massive Fine Food Australia 2023

The best and brightest shining lights in the Australian food and beverage industry have been crowned capping off a hugely successful Fine Food Australia 2023.

The event, which wrapped last week, welcomed tens of thousands of attendees over four massive days at Sydney’s ICC.

More than 850 Australian and international exhibitors were out in force representing the full spectrum of supplier market to the food industry. As the biggest and most trusted food trade event in the Southern Hemisphere, hundreds of top food experts, industry masters, baristas and Australia’s most exciting chefs from around the country also took to the various stages for presentations and demonstrations. 

A huge number of entrants competed this year in various competitions.

“The calibre of entrants this year in all the competitions was incredibly impressive,” said Event Manager, Andrew Lawson. “We have such a talented and thriving food scene in Australia with a phenomenal range of innovation. It’s always such an exciting part of the show to see the winners named and rewarded for their hard work.”

Winners below:

Nestle Golden Chef’s Hat Award

Winner: Jimmy Han, NSW

ACF Culinary Challenge

Most Outstanding chef 2023 winner: Sze Theng Chai, NSW

Most Outstanding Pastry Chef of the Year winner: Remold Fernando, VIC

Legumes from Europe winner: Don Sherman, VIC

Tabasco Hot 100 winner: Brendan Fong, Hubert, NSW

Tabasco Team Challenge winner: Simmer Culinary, Andrew Ballard, VIC & Li Zhang, Silver Medal

Yum Cha Challenge winner: HDL Restaurant, Coco Yuan & Courtney Cox, Silver Medal

Tabasco National Apprentice Competition

1^st Year Apprentice winner: Tess Gurling, ACT

2^nd Year Apprentice winner: Garam Han, VIC

Final Year Apprentice winner: Pippa Macpherson, VIC

Culinary Student winner: Marianne Cullen, ACT

Champion Apprentice 2023 winner: Garam Han, VIC

Bake Skills Australia

Champion Young Baker winner: Rebecca Tracey, CJ’s Bakery, SA

Australia’s Best Pastry Apprentice winner: Carla Penza, Gumnut Patisserie, NSW

Fine Food Australia Innovation Awards

Best Retail Product: Potato Utopia Parmesan, Garlic & Basil Flavoured Fries, Potato Utopia

Best Bakery Product: Farcimax Lemon Curd, PreGel Australia

Best Foodservice Product: John West Protein+ Tuna Pouches, Simplot Foodservice

The Official Great Aussie Pie Competition

Plain Meat Pie winner: Paradise Bakehouse, Innes Park, QLD
Gourmet Pie winner: Rolling Pin Pies & Cakes, Ocean Grove, VIC

Plain Sausage Roll winner: Jack’s Bakery, Halls Head, WA

Traditional Pastie winner: Banana Boogie Bakery, Belair, SA

Gourmet Sausage Roll winner: New York Cakes, Miranda, NSW

Battle of the Sanga

Winner: Michael Filipovski, Pinos Dolce Vita, NSW

This year Fine Food Australia was backed by Platinum Sponsor MILKLAB, as well as the NSW Government through strategic partner, Investment NSW, along with major sponsors Mayers Fine Foods and Square. Other key industry and government partners to support the event this year included Austrade, Australian Culinary Federation (ACF), Australian Food Service Advocacy Body (AFAB), Food Service Suppliers Association of Australia (FSAA), National Association of Food Equipment Suppliers (NAFES), Export Connect and Foodie Coaches.

“Next year is the 40^th anniversary of Fine Food Australia so we’re already preparing for a truly massive show,” said Mr Lawson. “We’re incredibly proud to be the leading food industry show in this country and are looking forward to once more celebrating all the corners of the industry.”

For more information visit www.finefoodaustralia.com.au

Fine Food Australia, 18^th September 2023