Since 1822, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) has been evaluating the quality of national produce and animal products through competitions with the aim of promoting and building a sustainable future of Australian agriculture.
The Sydney Royal Fine Food Show is one of Australia’s premier awards program, renowned for driving innovation and setting a benchmark of excellence in agricultura, animal, and specialty products from across the country. This year, in total, the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show awarded 312 Gold medals, 549 Silver and 434 Bronze medals.
The competition is divided into the following categories: Aquaculture, Branded Meat, Oil & Olives, Pasta, Professional Bakery, Smallgoods & Charcuterie, and Specialty Foods. This last category includes sweet, savoury, umami products and more. All products entered into the competition must be 85% Australian origin, and both well-established, recognisable brands and new products are invited to enter.
You can check out this year’s winners here.
Australia’s best coffee
A variety of different food products were judged within the Specialty Foods category, including preserves, chocolate, plant-based products and, of course, coffee. And, no surprise, Queensland came out on top!
With a score of 92 out of 100, Coffee Mentality in Woolloongabba, beat out the competition and was named “Champion Coffee” for its Auditory Blend. This locally produced, sustainable blend, is one of nine that the café offers, alongside tasting experiences and a sense of community.
Founder and owner Ian Abadiano is so passionate about coffee that he left his desk job to start a coffee van. He found the strength to keep going through a tough beginning in the people that he served coffee to everyday, and the community that resulted in. He also leads some of the tastings himself, offers barista trainings and hosts coffee seminars and research sessions with a focus on sustainability, all to give back to Australian coffee culture and lessen the environmental impact of the industry.
You can try Australia’s best coffee Monday through Friday from 6am to 2pm, and from 7am to 12pm on Saturdays.
📍43 Balaclava St, Woolloongabba