- The 2026 South Australian Premier's Food and Beverage Industry Awards were held on 13 November at the Adelaide Convention Centre, recognising achievement across 17 categories with the theme Time to Shine: Celebrating Achievement. Inspiring Excellence.
- Zerella Fresh was inducted into the Food and Beverage Industry Hall of Fame, while Bickford's Australia received the Business Excellence Award.
- La Casa Del Formaggio's Mozzarella Stretchy String Sticks and Little Eaters' Artisan Pasta Range won the New Product Award, with Señor Mexican taking out the Emerging Business Award.
- Vili's Family Bakery and Kytons Bakery were named Foodland Consumer Choice Award winners following a public vote, with baked goods proving a firm favourite with South Australian consumers.
- Food South Australia CEO Tori Dixon-Whittle and Premier Peter Malinauskas both highlighted the winners as reflecting South Australia's growing international reputation for food and beverage quality, following the state's recent inclusion in the MICHELIN Guide.
From household favourites to new products worth discovering, South Australia’s leading food and beverage businesses have been recognised at the 2026 South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards Gala Dinner on Friday, 13 November at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Following South Australia’s debut in the MICHELIN Guide, the Awards continue the spotlight on the quality and creativity that define the state’s food and beverage offering — from restaurant menus to everyday tables.
Presented by Food South Australia, with the support of the Government of South Australia, the evening recognised achievement across 17 categories under the theme Time to Shine: Celebrating Achievement. Inspiring Excellence.
Zerella Fresh was inducted into the Food and Beverage Industry Hall of Fame, recognising sustained excellence and a lasting contribution to the industry, while Bickford’s Australia received the Business Excellence Award.
The New Product Award went to La Casa Del Formaggio’s Mozzarella Stretchy String Sticks as well as Little Eaters’ Artisan Pasta Range, while Senor Mexican received the Emerging Business Award, highlighting the fresh ideas and enterprise shaping the industry’s future.
Consumers also had their say, with baked goods proving a favourite as Vili’s Family Bakery and Kytons Bakery were named the Foodland Consumer Choice Award winners following a public vote.
Food South Australia CEO Tori Dixon-Whittle said the winners reflected the ambition behind South Australia’s rising international reputation.
“Our winners are continually lifting the benchmark — innovating, reaching new markets and building on South Australia’s reputation for quality, provenance and innovation,” Ms Dixon-Whittle said.
“They share the ambition to be among the best in the world and give consumers every reason to discover and enjoy South Australian food and beverages.”
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the Awards recognised the businesses strengthening the state’s reputation and economy.
“Our recent MICHELIN recognition has put South Australia’s exceptional food offering in the international spotlight,” the Premier said.
“Tonight’s winners demonstrate the quality behind that reputation, while creating jobs and supporting communities. I congratulate every winner and finalist.”
2026 Award Winners and Finalists
Industry Nominated and Judges Award categories
Hall of Fame - Sponsored by San Remo
2026 Inductee: Zerella Fresh
Business Excellence Award
Winner: Bickford’s Australia
Open Business Awards
Business Improvement Award – Sponsored by VISY
Winners:
• The Family Cook
(Businesses with less than 15FTEs)
• Tucker’s Natural
(Businesses with more than 15FTEs)
Finalists: Comfresh, Good Country Hemp, Ricca Coffee Co., Slape & Sons
EatDrink Local SA Award – Sponsored by SA Produce Market
Winners:
• Prancing Pony Brewery (Regional Winner)
• Coopers Brewery Visitor Centre, Restaurant and Taproom (Metro Winner)
Finalists: Beresford Estate. Bollywood Bites, Mayfair Bakery and Patisserie, Overland Corner Hotel, Plenty Catering Co.
Emerging Business Award – Sponsored by La Casa Del Formaggio
Winner:
• Señor Mexican
Finalist: Brian’s Butcher Shop
Export Award – Supported by the Department of State Development
Winners:
• Continental Taralli Biscuits
(Businesses with less than 15FTEs)
• Bickford’s Australia
(Businesses with more than 15FTEs)
Finalists: Blue Lake Milling, Mayfair Bakery and Patisserie, The Yoghurt Shop
Innovation Award
Winners:
• Mayfair Bakery and Patisserie
(Businesses with less than 15FTEs)
• Harris Smokehouse
(Businesses with more than 15FTEs)
Finalists: Dinko Tuna Farmers, Legacy Food Group
Marketing Impact Award
Winners:
• Continental Taralli Biscuits
(Businesses with less than 15FTEs)
• Barossa Fine Foods
(Businesses with more than 15FTEs)
Finalists: Vok Beverages, KIN Seafood, It’s Olio, Skara Smallgoods
New Product Award – Sponsored by Foodland Supermarkets
Winners:
• Little Eaters - Artisan Pasta Range
(Businesses with less than 15FTEs)
• La Casa Del Formaggio - Mozzarella Stretchy String Sticks
(Businesses with more than 15FTEs)
Finalists:
• Harris Smokehouse (Everyday Wild Smoked Salmon)
• JNR Food Co.
• KIN Seafood (Australia’s Premium Southern Bluefin Tuna Pantry Range)
• Mayfair Bakery and Patisserie (Gluten Free Baked Beerenberg Cheesecake)
• MBL (New Butcher’s Banquet Sauces)
• Tucker’s Natural (Crackers Value Packs)
People & Culture Award – Sponsored by Adelaide University
Winners:
• The Family Cook
(Businesses with less than 15FTEs)
• Maggie Beer Products
(Businesses with more than 15FTEs)
Finalists: Fleurieu Milk Company, Golden North, Harris Smokehouse, The Yoghurt Shop
Primary Producer Award – Sponsored by Thomas Foods International
Winners:
• @Lenswood Pick Your Own
(Businesses with less than 15FTEs)
• Endersby Group
(Businesses with more than 15FTEs)
Finalists: Dinko Tuna Farmers, Gumshire Pork, Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co.
Service Provider Award – Sponsored by MBL
Winners:
• Fridge It Logistics SA
(Businesses with less than 15FTEs)
• Cold Logic
(Businesses with more than 15FTEs)
Finalists: HMPS, Summit Laboratory Services
State Contribution Award – Sponsored by Ingham’s Australia
Winner:
• Safcol Australia
Finalists: Baiada Poultry, Perfection Fresh Australia
Sustainability Award - Sponsored by Green Industries SA
Winners:
• Prancing Pony Brewery
(Businesses with less than 15 FTEs)
• Comfresh
(Businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
Finalists: Besa Juice, Blue Lake Milling, Harris Smokehouse, Slape & Sons,
Individual Awards
Leader Award – Sponsored by Bickford’s Group
Winner: Sam Tucker (Tucker’s Natural)
Finalists:
• Marco Staltari (Nonna’s Cucina)
• Phil Donnelly (Mayfair Bakery and Patisserie)
Next Generation Award – Sponsored by Macro Group Australia
Winner: Joseph Skara (Skara Smallgoods)
Finalists:
• Ben Walter (Mitolo Family Farms)
• Emanual Alemshet (Vili’s Family Bakery)
Publicly Voted Award
Consumer Choice Award – Sponsored by Foodland Supermarkets
Winners:
• Kytons Bakery
(For businesses with less than 15FTEs)
• Vili’s Family Bakery
(For businesses with more than 15FTEs)
Finalists:
• Ashton Valley Fresh
• Continental Taralli Biscuits
• Enzo’s at Home
• Fleurieu Milk Company
• Frantic Whisk
• Gumshire Pork
• Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co.
• La Casa Del Formaggio
• Little Eaters
• Maggie Beer Products
• Mike’s Beef Jerky
• Nippy’s
• Prancing Pony Brewery
• Rohde Egg Co.
• Skara Smallgoods
• The Family Cook
• Tweedvale Dairy
Congratulations to all winners and finalists.
Further information can be found at www.foodsouthaustralia.com.au or www.safoodbevawards.com.au
-Ends-
About us:
Food South Australia is the state’s independent, membership-based peak industry body for the food and beverage sector. It supports manufacturers, processors and producers to build capability, develop markets and make valuable industry connections, and advocates for the sector.
Food South Australia are proud to present the South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards with the support of the Government of South Australia through the Department of State Development.
Contact details:
Monica Horak, Business Manager, Food South Australia.
Ph: (08) 8303 9436
