The delicious. Produce Awards, which are now in their 15th year, unearth and champion Australia’s best and most innovative primary produce and producers with an emphasis on provenance, seasonality and sustainable production methods; they also showcase the people, places and craftsmanship that create a high-quality dining experience for which Australia is world-renowned.

In 2020, 17 trophies will be awarded:

PRODUCE CATEGORY AWARDS:

• From the Dairy
• From the Earth
• From the Paddock
• From the Sea
• Best New Product
• Producer of the Year

NON-PRODUCE-BASED CATEGORY AWARDS:

• In the Bottle
• Outstanding Viticulturist
• Unearthed Next Gen Chef
• New: Unearthed Next Gen Producer
• Outstanding Innovation
• Outstanding Native Producer
• Outstanding Region
• Outstanding Artisan
• Outstanding Design
• Outstanding Farmers’ Market
• Maggie Beer Award for Outstanding Contribution to Australian Food

AWARD CRITERIA AND HOW TO ENTER

FROM THE DAIRY, EARTH, PADDOCK & SEA

The four Produce Award categories celebrate Australia’s best tasting primary produce as nominated by our country’s leading chefs. In 2020 we will be continuing to shine the spotlight on new, innovative, native and consistently outstanding Australian ingredients grown, caught, sourced or produced with dedication, passion, knowledge and regard for the environment.

Entry is via nomination by a recognised leading Australian chef. Chefs are invited to nominate products they use and/or are familiar with, and consider to be the best of their kind within their category. Chefs are invited to nominate producers via this link. Nominations close at 5:00pm (AEDT) on Sunday, 2 February 2020.

Nominated products are assessed against general entry criteria and if deemed eligible the producer will be contacted and invited to complete an application form. Completed applications must be returned by the deadline to be considered for entry. The deadline for 2020 entries is 5:00pm (AEDT) on Monday, 18 February 2020.

Successful applicants will be invited to submit their product for state judging in March 2020. The state judging will determine the 2020 State Winners who will then be invited to submit their product into the national judging to determine the 2020 Gold Medalists and Trophy Winners. 

*IMPORTANT UPDATE DUE TO THE COVID-19 SITUATION – APRIL 2020

 To be able to progress this year’s delicious Produce Awards within the current and continuously changing covid-19 environment we will be progressing with a revised judging process this year, as outlined to follow: 

Revised judging process and format for 2020 

In order to be able to keep the process moving forward within the parameters of current restrictions we will be holding 2 rounds of national judging: (1) in May to which all State Winners are invited to send in their products for judging by the Sydney-based national judges to determine the 2020 Gold Medallists; and, (2) in October to which all the Gold Medallists are invited to send in their products for judging by the full national judging panel to determine the 2020 Trophy Winners. Both rounds of judging will be conducted blind. The 2020 Gold Medallists and Trophy Winners will be announced in Sydney on Wednesday, 14 October 2020.

OUTSTANDING FARMERS’ MARKET

For a vibrant and engaging community-focused farmers’ market that displays ‘true authenticity’. 

 ‘True authenticity’ is evaluated based on the following definition: ‘A Farmers’ Market is a predominantly fresh food market that operates regularly within a community, at a focal public location that provides a suitable environment for farmers and specialty food producers to sell farm-origin and associated value-added specialty foods for human consumption directly to customers.’ Definition sourced from the Australian Farmers’ Markets Association.

Please note: An authentic farmers’ market excludes resellers, and arts and craft goods, unless made on-farm from farm origin product.

Entry is via application. Completed applications must be returned by the deadline to be considered for entry. The deadline for 2020 entries is 5:00pm AEDT on Monday, 11 May 2020.

The 2020 Outstanding Farmers’ Market application form can be found here.

The finalists for the 2020 Outstanding Farmers’ Market award will be announced in September 2020 and the national trophy winner will be announced at the awards event in Sydney in October 2020.

The following awards are decided by the delicious. Produce Awards judging, critics’ panels and editorial team and the Trophy Winners announced at the awards event in August 2020:

BEST NEW PRODUCT

Awarded to a 2020 State Winner product, which, in the opinion of the national judges, is the most exciting new product entry of the year.

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

This award identifies a producer who, in the opinion of the national judges, produces a benchmark product of exceptional quality in a sustainable and ethical way.

IN THE BOTTLE

This award recognises the innovative Australian drink-makers creating distinctive small-batch and handcrafted spirits, beers and ciders made from Australian ingredients.

OUTSTANDING VITICULTURIST

Showcasing the growers behind the winemakers, this award recognises leading Australian viticulturists using regenerative cultivation methods to produce the grapes that create Australia’s top wines. 

UNEARTHED NEXT GEN CHEF

Recognising the best talent among the young chefs who are making their mark on the Australian dining scene and whose menus focus on showcasing local and regional produce.

NEW: UNEARTHED NEXT GEN PRODUCER

Recognising young Australian primary producers who are challenging the status quo and finding new ways to produce high-quality, wholesome, flavoursome food in an environmentally sustainable way. 

OUTSTANDING INNOVATION, SUSTAINABILITY AND COMMUNITY presented by THANKFUL

An award for an individual, business, group or community in the food or agriculture industry demonstrating outstanding innovation in the production of food, using sustainable methods along with a community focus to achieve such innovation.

OUTSTANDING NATIVE PRODUCER

This award recognises and celebrates Australia’s producers who are cultivating high-quality native primary produce.

OUTSTANDING REGION

This award is for an Australian region or place that has successfully established itself as an outstanding culinary destination.

OUTSTANDING ARTISAN

Showcasing the lost art of traditional food preparation techniques that require training, skill and time to finesse, this award rewards Australia’s finest artisans for their craft and skill.

OUTSTANDING DESIGN

Celebrating the innovation and craftsmanship of Australian designed and made cooking and eating utensils, and dining tableware.

MAGGIE BEER AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO AUSTRALIAN FOOD

As patron of the awards, Maggie Beer recognises someone who has had a significant impact on the direction, quality and recognition of Australian food and food culture.

2020 STATE JUDGES

NSW                                                                     

Brent Savage, Bentley Restaurant & Bar; Cirrus; Monopole; Yellow
Danielle Alvarez, Fred’s
James Viles, Biota
Josh Niland, Saint Peter; Fish Butchery
Lennox Hastie, Firedoor
NEW: Rob Cockerill, Bennelong Restaurant & Bar
Troy Rhoades-Brown, Muse Dining; Muse Kitchen

TAS                                                                                       

Analiese Gregory
Christian Ryan, Aloft
NEW: Massimo Mele, Grain of the Silos
Philippe Leban, Coal Valley Vineyard
Rodney Dunn, The Agrarian Kitchen Cooking School & Eatery

WA                                                                                        

NEW: Brendan Pratt, Vasse Felix
Jed Gerrard, The Ritz Carlton Perth
NEW: Melissa Palinkas, Young George
NEW: Santiago Fernandez, Voyager Estate

SA

David Swain, Fino at Seppeltsfield; Fino Vino Adelaide
Karena Armstrong, The Salopian Inn
Mark McNamara, St Hugo Restaurant
NEW: Max Sharrad, NIDO
Paul Baker, The Botanic Gardens Restaurant Adelaide

 QLD 

NEW: Adam Wolfers, Gerard’s Bistro
Cameron Matthews, Spicers Retreat
Darren Robertson, Three Blue Ducks
Jake Nicolson, Blackbird Bar & Grill; Donna Chang
NEW: Louis Tikaram, Stanley
Spencer Patrick, Harrison’s Port Douglas

VIC                                        

Dave Verheul, Embla; Lesa
David Moyle, Longsong
Jo Barrett, Oakridge Wines
Matt Stone, Oakridge Wines
Nicky Riemer, Bellota Wine Bar
Paul Wilson, Mr. Wilson

For any questions, please email the delicious. Produce Awards Project Manager, Lucy Allon, here.