This was a cracking year for dairy, with not only two full-creamed milks tying for best primary dairy producer, but a cheese company – Tasmania’s Pyengana Dairy Company – taking out producer of the year and winner of the dairy artisan category, with their tasty cheddar (12+months).

Sommerlads Poultry were awarded the gong for Outstanding Innovation, breeding a slow-growing, grass-roaming chicken that produces superior meat, loaded with flavor. The Sommerlads’ supply Milking Yard Farm, which won the from the paddock category with their Sommerland Breed whole chicken.

The Fermentary‘s Milk Kefir became the first kefir to win an award, taking out best new product and blowing the judges away.

Other winners:
From the sea: Austral Fisheries Skull Island Tiger Prawns, NT (primary) and Yarra Valley Caviar Hand-Milked Salmon Caviar, VIC (artisan)
From the earth: Kurrawong Organics Organic Beetroot and Organic Broccoli, NSW (primary) and Wellington Apiary Prickly Box Honey, TAS (artisan)
From the paddock: Backfatters Heritage Breed Free Range Pig Farm German Bacon QLD (artisan)
From the dairy: Schulz Organic Dairy Full Cream Milk, VIC (primary) and Mungalli Creek Dairy Bio-dynamic Organic Full Cream Milk, QLD (primary)
Maggie Beer Award for outstanding contribution to Australian food: Peter Gilmore, NSW
Outstanding Farmers Market: SAGE Farmers Market, Moruya, NSW
Outstanding Regional Chef: James Viles, Biota Dining, Bowral, NSW
Outstanding Food Store: Sourced Grocer, Brisbane
Unearthed Next Gen Chef: Troy Rhoades-Brown, Muse Restaurant, NSW
Outstanding Region: Margaret River, WA
Hall of Fame: Blackmore Wagyu Beef (VIC), Holy Goat Cheese La Luna (VIC), Mondo White Rocks Veal (WA)