Food and Dining

.
The Times Real Estate

.

After tasting a myriad of silky-smooth milks, yoghurts, cheeses, butters and ice-creams, the expert judges of the 2023 Melbourne Royal Dairy Awards have revealed which Australian products have claimed top honours in this competitive category of the Australian Food Awards.

The Melbourne Royal Dairy Awards are a newly relaunched category of the Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards that celebrate excellence in Australian food production.

The Melbourne Royal Dairy Awards are steeped in history, dating back to the 1870s, and continue today to provide producers across the country with an opportunity to benchmark their goods against the very best and have been a launching pad for some of Australia’s most successful food products and brands,” said Brad Jenkins, Melbourne Royal CEO.

The 207 entries in the 2023 Melbourne Royal Dairy Awards were judged by nine highly respected industry experts on the attributes of flavour and aroma, body and texture, presentation, condition and melting.

Medal and trophy winners in the 2023 Melbourne Royal Dairy Awards have the unique opportunity to leverage their success and in particular use the Melbourne Royal seal of excellence on the product and in marketing”.

Taking out the major awards of Champion Dairy Producer and Champion Victorian Dairy Producer (presented by Agriculture Victoria) was (Victorian) Surf Coast-based Gelato Gelato, co-owned by dedicated foodies Jo Stevens and Stephanie Lewis, which was founded in 2016 and has stores in Lorne, Anglesea and Geelong.

Jo Stevens said the win was a huge thrill for the entire team who put so much hard work, effort and care into creating their high-quality products.

Having trained with the gelato masters in Italy, we came back to Australia determined to make all our gelato from scratch using the finest local ingredients, which means we’re always busy roasting, making sauces, pralines and cookies to include in our delicious flavours,” she said.

Our award-winning choc mint gelato – which is made with freshly puréed mint and 70% organic dark chocolate – is the perfect example of our dedication to quality.”

Major trophy winners were:

  • Champion Dairy Producer: Gelato Gelato (Victoria)

  • Champion Victorian Dairy Producer, presented by Agriculture Victoria: Gelato Gelato (Victoria)

  • Best Gelato: Gelato Gelato (Victoria) ‘Gelato Gelato Choc Mint’

Judges’ commentary: “Exceptional. Well done, texture is great, balance of flavour is great, great chocolate inclusions. Props for that exceptional mint flavour! Possibly the best mint chocolate chip ice cream I've ever had, and I order this flavour all the time, so high praise…The fresh mint flavour was fragrant, light and fresh. Well balanced and smooth. Outstanding, well done! Class champion.”

  • Best Butter: LardAss Butter (Ocean Grove, Victoria) ‘Black Garlic Cultured Butter’

Judges’ commentary: “Subtle black garlic sweetness and nicely salted butter…Very nice balance, good balance of flavour, great creaminess...Outstanding product, delicate flavour…smooth in texture and body. Lovely!”

  • Best Cheese: Coal River Farm (Cambridge, Tasmania) ‘Coal River Farm Blue’

Judges’ commentary: “Nice salty developed rind, with a little white mould. Rich fatty, intense. Crumbly open texture. Slight sweetness balanced with umami and earthiness.”

  • Best Non-cow Cheese: Woodside Cheese Wrights (Woodside, South Australia) ‘Kris Lloyd Artisan Goat Persian Feta’

Judges’ commentary: “Great texture, gentle and balanced flavour, excellent product. Lasting subtle flavour, well-seasoned, true to style…Impressed with the smoothness and texture.”

  • Best Unflavoured Yoghurt: Bulla Dairy Foods (Derrimut, Victoria) ‘Bulla Australian Style Natural Yoghurt 160G’

Judges’ commentary: “Great acid, lovely texture. Nice acidity, smooth finish, light, great consistency. Outstanding product! Silky, smooth on the palate and balanced in flavour.”

  • Best Flavoured Yoghurt: The Yoghurt Co Vic (Carrum Downs, Victoria) ‘EOSS Vanilla Bean’

Judges’ commentary: “An excellent yoghurt…A smooth and rich mouthfeel. Fluffy and creamy texture…slight tartness. Lovely to see the vanilla seeds throughout. Structure and texture excellent. Sweetness was well balanced too. Happy to stock in my fridge!”

  • Best Unflavoured Fresh Milk: Ashgrove Cheese (Elizabeth Town, Tasmania) ‘Ashgrove Non-Homogenised Milk’

Judges’ commentary: “A good example of unhomogenised milk…a rich, full-bodied taste and rich flavour.”

  • Best Flavoured Fresh Milk: Brownes Foods Operates (Balcatta, Western Australia) ‘Aldi Champ Iced Coffee Flavoured Milk’

Judges’ commentary: “A very nice coffee flavoured milk with good mouthfeel and balance between flavour and sweetness. Good colour, nice mouthfeel, slight creaminess, good bitterness front coffee flavour.”

  • Best Cream: Inglenook Dairy (Dunnstown, Victoria) ‘Inglenook Dairy Cream’

Judges’ commentary: “This was an excellent product. The body and texture were great …whilst the smooth, rich flavour was clean with a nice aftertaste…Very light nose with good colour and free flowing texture flavour and fat balance is good.”

  • Best Ice Cream: Elato Artisanal Ice Cream (Southbank, Victoria) ‘Fig Ripple’

Judges’ commentary: “Large swirls of fruit and jammy syrup, looks enticing. Burnt spicy caramel flavours very multifaceted, with textures that sing, and crunchy seeds make it interesting. Great balance and depth of flavours…Rich creamy ice cream…Delicious!”

  • Best Single Serve Ice-cream: Bulla Dairy Foods (Derrimut, Victoria) ‘Reese’s Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cone 4pk’

Judges’ commentary: “An excellently presented ice cream with a well-executed complexity of flavours and textures. Well done.”

A comprehensive list of all the gold, silver and bronze medallists for all the entry classes can be found at https://www.melbourneroyal.com.au/media/9354/2023-melbourne-royal-dairy-results-catalogue.pdf

Brad Jenkins acknowledged and thanked the many people who assisted with the logistical challenge of coordinating and judgement of the award entries.

Nine specialist judges, nine stewards and multiple officials worked hard behind the scenes, and we are very grateful to these individuals for sharing their knowledge and experience to help deliver the Melbourne Royal Dairy Awards to the highest possible standard,” Jenkins said.

We also wish to thank our sponsors, Plasdene Glass-Pak and Agriculture Victoria, and congratulate the trophy winners and medallists – we look forward to showcasing your stories and providing a platform to celebrate your achievements and expand your success.

Long may the Australian dairy industry continue to innovate, grow and prosper.”

For more information about the Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards, entry details and judging criteria, please visit melbourneroyal.com.au/food.

Food Features

Taste of Tuscany at Brunetti Classico

Tuscany is home is home to some of the world’s most iconic artworks and architecture including Michelangelo’s "David" statue, Botticelli’s works in the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo Basilica.   Now a new Tuscan masterpiece has arrived in Melbourne, courtesy of Italian food emporium Br...

Read more

Food News

Hosting Made Easy: Tips for Effortless Dessert Planning in Melbourne

When hosting any event, from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, the choice and planning of desserts can either be a joy ...

Understanding and Managing a “Dead” Tooth

Going to the dentist for regular preventative care is essential – and especially important if you’re having issues like pain, te...

Breaking down the cost of Invisalign treatment in Australia: What factors impact the price?

Invisalign, the clear alternative to metal braces, has been revolutionizing the field of orthodontics by providing a less noticeab...

5 Delicious Ways to Enjoy Rooibos Tea in Dessert Form

Are you tired of the same old dessert options and looking to add a unique twist to your sweet treats? Sometimes, it’s challengin...

Keeping Cool. 5 ways a Stubby Holder can help towards having summer fun

Living in Australia can be a real pleasure. It’s a country that has so much natural beauty as well as lots of space to live in w...

BBQs Still Reign Supreme as Australia’s Favourite Summer Meal, New Research Reveals

As the weather heats up, ready-made meal provider Youfoodz has taken a closer look at how Australians are dining this summer. ...

Food & Dining

ELEVATE YOUR SUMMER SPRITZING WITH GREY GOOSE® ESSENCES

Effortlessly extraordinary, naturally flavoured spirits that will delight the senses  Elevate your cocktail this summer with Grey Goose Essences, the brands latest range. Made with  all-natural i...

Have your mousse and eat it too: BODYSCIENCE releases its healthy dessert range

Australian fitness powerhouse, BODYSCIENCE® has officially merged its science with a menu item that health fanatics typically avoid; dessert.  The Aussie made brand has launched its Low Carb Mous...

Katoomba Foods' Launch Roti Six Pack

Katoomba Foods' Launch Roti Six Pack Move over puff pastry – an even more versatile ingredient is taking its place in supermarket trolleys and kitchens across Australia.  Katoomba Foods Roti...

Simple Ways To Increase Shelf Life Of Organic Food

Going organic is all the rage now. Whether you want to lead a healthy life or go greener, using organic products benefits both you and the environment. Many organic shops have been opened to cater...

NON beverages

A Non Alcoholic Range Of Beverages Hand-Crafted Here In Australia; Welcome to NON World  Redefining the wine occasion with something for everyone  Flying in the face of convention, NON beverages ...

Hearty Winter TRUFF Recipes You Need To Try Today

Nothing quite says winter like settling in for a night featuring your favourite comfort foods. Anything warm, cheesy or filled with carbs is welcome, and paired with the luxurious taste of truffle...