Top-shelf produce awarded Champion at Sydney Royal Taste of Excellence

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) has crowned its 2019 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show Champions at the Sydney Royal Taste of Excellence Awards today, celebrating some of best produce and producers in the country.

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The finest of foods

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) has been judging produce for more than one hundred and fifty years - beginning with cheese and beer in 1822, moving on to include cider and sherry in 1825, bread, pastry, biscuits, ham and bacon by 1886 and fruits, jams and jellies before 1900.

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When you prefer your ale to be pale

With fifty-nine pale ales entered into the Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show, it is safe to assume this is a popular style for Australian beer drinkers.

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Wine from another vine

The message from the KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show judges is clear, don't be afraid to try something new or different.

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Judged to be the best beer in NSW

If you're looking for the best beer in NSW you don't have to travel too far from Central Station... it's approximately 16 minutes' walk to Staves Brewery in Glebe. Once you get there, settle in with a Pale Ale, the American Style judged to be the best beer in NSW by the esteemed panel at the Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show. The Staves Brewery Pale Ale also took out the prize for Champion Draught Beer - beating a field of 86 Australian draught beers. To be named as Best NSW Beer in a field of over 300 entries, Staves Brewery produced a Pale Ale showcasing the bitterness American Style is renowned for, with citrus and pine features rather than the earthy floral hops of the Aussie Style pale ale. An independent craft brewery, Staves is brewed on site and served on tap in their beer garden, resulting in a true local flavour and feel.  Visit their website to find out more -  https://www.stavesbrewery.com/ Describing the win as "mind blowing" the boys at Staves Brewery remain committed to brewing the best beer they possibly can, although the Sydney Royal judges believe they are already firmly achieving this with the brewery also picking up a Bronze Medal for their traditional Oatmeal Stout.

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Staves Brewery Pale Ale named Best Draught Beer at record-breaking Sydney Royal

Glebe’s Stave Brewery has been celebrated for its clean, traditional style Pale Ale taking home Champion Draught Beer at the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW’s Sydney Royal Beer and Cider Show. In a record-breaking competition for Sydney Royal, Staves battled it out against 85 Draught Beer entries across 15 classes to claim the top award, demonstrating its perseverance to craft the perfect Pale Ale after taking home a Sydney Royal Silver medal for the beer in 2017.

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Shiraz shines

Dating back to 1826 the Sydney Royal Wine Show is one of the most prestigious wine shows in Australia. Held annually, wines are judged on variants including complexity, fruitiness and balance

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Words from our Chair of Judges

"The results for the 2019 RAS Sydney Royal Wine Show provide a comprehensive snap shot of the strength of winemaking across Australia and one of the most considered buying guides any wine consumer could ask for.

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Sydney Royal Wine Show International Judge - Rod Smith

I have been privileged to judge wine in places as diverse as London, Sofia, Dallas, Moscow, Transylvania and Shanghai, over the course of three decades, but I can comfortably say that the Sydney Royal Wine Show this year has been as well organised and efficiently run as the best of them.

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Great Australian red honoured at 2019 KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show

Yabby Lake Vineyard has been awarded the highest honour at the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW’s 2019 KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show, with its 2017 Heathcote Estate Single Vineyard Shiraz winning the coveted KPMG Perpetual Trophy for Best Wine of Show and the Tucker Seabrook Perpetual Trophy for Best State Show Wine

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Take a drive for a drink

Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley, Margaret River and Yarra Valley - we know they are the big four but where else can you discover a fine wine or a trendy tipple?

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Your 2019 KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show Judge has been announced!

The KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show is right around the corner and it's getting a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ addition this year. Say bonjour to French judge, Rod Smith MW.

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Looking for the top brew in 2019?

Time is ticking to enter the 2019 Sydney Royal Beer and Cider Show. With entries closing on 5 June, Sydney Royal is encouraging all Australian Beer and Cider producers to get their hops on and enter.

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Say cheese

Losing doesn’t seem to be an option for 13th Annual President’s Medal Finalists Meredith Dairy

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The inside scoop

Everyone’s favourite cold summer treat and a delicious cream filled shell - two traditional Italian desserts have been combined to make the ultimate sweet, leaving our Sydney Royal judges smiling with delight. Croydon Park ice-creamery, Pure Gelato created the ultimate Italian dessert, the Gelato Cannoli. Taking home Champion Novel Ice Cream or Gelato at this year’s Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show, Pure Gelato have continuously proven themselves as a core brand producing high-quality ice-cream and gelato. The crispy shell filled with smooth, creamy gelato is the only one of its kind, making it a must try this season. Dating back to the 16 th Century, gelato has been a long-standing dessert of choice, and one that constantly evolves with new varieties churned out every year. From hot-cross bun ice-cream sandwiches to gelato burritos, the novelty ideas have been endless, however, the Gelato Cannoli has never been tried before. The idea of marrying two iconic Italian treats is a stroke of genius the Sydney Royal judges are on board with. Winning over 35 Sydney Royal Medals and three Champion titles in 2019, Pure Gelato’s delights are a must try for lovers of frozen desserts. To discover more of the winners of the Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show, head over to Australia’s Best Producers  here.

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Create a cheeseboard fit for Royalty… Sydney Royal that is!

Throwing a party can come with a lot of pressure and much to the surprise of many, creating the perfect cheeseboard can be quite difficult. With thousands of cheese brands and varieties on the market, the pressure of picking the right cheese that everyone will salivate over can be overwhelming. Fortunately, Sydney Royal has done all the hard work for you, with five cheese entries awarded the title of Champion after careful consideration by expert judges at the Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show. After 35 years of judging, Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show, Chair of Judges, Mark Livermore says despite battling one of the hardest seasons the industry has seen, dairy farmers have managed to produce quality product that has resulted in the finest selection of cheeses, “This was the toughest year ever to select our Champions… we have put together the best ever Cheeseboard in terms of quality,” Mr Livermore said, “Nothing can be made without good quality milk – so a big thank you to our farmers…it has been a difficult season and our dairy farmers need to be congratulated for high quality product at this time.” The Australian Cheeseboard Perpetual Trophy includes the following medal-winning products: Bega Cheese, Bega Rindless Cheddar Vintage Blackall Country Cheese PTY LTD (T/A Woombye Cheese Company), Woombye Ash Brie Berry’s Creek Gourmet Cheese, Oak Blue Meredith Dairy, Meredith Dairy Goats Cheese Original Chevre Berry’s Creek Gourmet Cheese, Sunrise Plains To discover more of the winners of the Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show, head over to Australia’s Best Producers here.

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It’s all about the Cheese Board at the Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Awards

The perfect cheese board has been carefully selected by expert Chair of Judges, Mark Livermore from products across Australia this week and announced at the Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Awards held at The Stables, Sydney Olympic Park on Monday night.

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Aquaculture producers, it’s time for Sydney Royal glory

Entries for the 2019 Sydney Royal Aquaculture competition are now open and encouraging Australian Sydney Rock oyster and prawn producers to take the first step towards medal winning glory by entering today. Established in 2001, the Sydney Royal Aquaculture competition, a highly regarded seafood competition in Australia, judges the best of the best in Australian aquaculture and will devote this year’s competitions to the growth of Australian oysters and prawns.

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Sea-food and eat it

Aquaculture. The competition has been going for nearly twenty years – but the practice is as old as they come. With farmed seafood now providing 50% of all seafood consumed worldwide, we couldn’t do without it – especially at Christmas time.

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No Grit, no pearl

Farming superior oysters since 1988, south coast institution Tathra Oysters has been named a finalist in the 13th Annual President’s Medal.

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A Sydney Royal Special – The oyster’s you need on your platter this Christmas

It's time to get those oysters shucked and ready for the Christmas platter and who better than Sydney Royal to make sure your oysters are the best Australia has to offer.

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The grass is greener on the East side

One of Australia’s largest beef producers, Wingham Beef Exports,

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2018 Wine Trophies and Champions

In 2018, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW saw over 3,000 exhibits enter into the KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show.

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Bring some sizzle home

It may be a time-honoured tradition to go for a sausage sanga at Bunnings on the weekend, but this week change your plans and snag one of the top 5 sausages from the Gourmet Sausage class at the Sydney Royal Smallgoods & Charcuterie Competition. Traditional flavours took top points from the Sydney Royal judges, with Beef Chevapchichi – skinless sausages – picking up 84 points, and a French Toulouse sausage – lean and belly pork mince – scoring 80.33 points. Taking the tastebuds a little left of field, a Texas Beef, Pork and Cheese sausage sat in the top 5 alongside Fresh Chorizo and Bavarian Bratwurst. 1. Olga’s Fine Foods, Beef Chevapchichi 84.00 2. Andrews Meat Industries, AMI French Toulouse Sausage Thick 80.33 3. Barossa Fine Foods, Fresh Chorizo 79.33 4. Olga’s Fine Foods, Texas Beef, Pork and Cheese Sausages 79.00 5. Andrews Meat Industries, AMI Bavarian Bratwurst Sausage 78.67 Discover all the Sydney Royal Smallgood and Charcuterie winners here.

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Going for the trifecta

Some may consider three a crowd but not in this instance. In this case, three is the winning trifecta, with three Sydney Royal Regional Food Competition Champions collecting the coveted title in their first year of entering. Hum Honey, Bunny Chow Down and Hazelbrae Hazelnuts perhaps had a dash of beginners luck along with exceptional products, earning each the title of Champion. Hum Honey took the Champion Regional Food Other Product title home to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast for their Cold Fusion Organic Lemon Myrtle Honey. With a passion of bringing consumers the purest raw honey from their free-range farm, Hum Honey embraces the philosophy of “savour the flavour”, and the Sydney Royal judges certainly did. Cold fusion is a process that allows the introduction of sensational flavours into the raw honey, a specialty that Hum have embraced and won them a hive of Sydney Royal medals. Along with their Champion Cold Fusion Organic Lemon Myrtle, Hum also received Silver for their Cold Fusion Organic Australian Lavender and their Cold Fusion Organic Cinnamon Quill and a Bronze medal for their Cold Fusion Australian Organic Ginger A bunny chow is a traditional curry served by street vendors in Durban, whilst a Bunny Chow Down Rosella Apple Chilli Jam is a Sydney Royal Champion Sweet Preserve. Combining a love of curry with a desire for unusual gastronomic flavour combinations, Bunny Chow Down took off in Queensland in 2013 and now includes an incredible range of chutney, marmalade, pickles and glazes.  Combining apple, sugar, rosella, lemon juice and chilli the Champion Sweet Preserve is bursting with sweet flavours with a bit of a zing and pairs beautifully with chicken. Hazelbrae Hazelnuts produce Tasmania’s very first hazelnut oil, which is also Sydney Royal’s first Champion hazelnut oil, the 2018 Champion Regional Food Specialty Product. This multi-purpose oil can be used for gentle frying, in salad dressing, drizzled over fruit or rice dishes, added to desserts or milk-based drinks and even applied as a moisturiser. With one of the largest hazelnut groves in Australia, the 5,000 hazelnut trees at the family-run farm in Hagley, northern Tasmania, certainly delivered the good oil for the judges.    Discover all the Sydney Royal Regional Food winners here.

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No pits, just champion olives

The name ALTO comes from the Latin ‘altus’ meaning ‘high’ and Robert Armstrong and Westerly Isbaih are certainly on a high at the moment. Robert and Westerly are proud producers of olive oil and table olives at the family farm in Crookwell, NSW.  ALTO Olives have the taste of sunshine, country air, warm days, cool nights and Sydney Royal medals including the title of Champion! Awarded 3 gold, 9 silver and 6 bronze medals in the competition including Champion Olives for their Wild Olives, ALTO Olives are regulars on the winner’s dais at Sydney Royal competitions. Entering Sydney Royal competitions every year since 2008, and picking up medals every year too, this year ALTO Olives tasty hand-picked koroneiki olives triumphed over 21 entries in the table olives classes and were described as “some of the most flavoursome olives tasted” by the Sydney Royal judges. ALTO table olives are hand harvested, washed, graded and sized before being naturally fermented using a brine solution of Olsson’s Australian sea salt and filtered rainwater. After fermentation, they are washed again in filtered rainwater before being tossed in ALTO Lemon Olive Oil, making them perfect as an appetizer or simply delicious nibbled straight from the pack! 

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Designing chocolate

Imagine constructing a sculpture, or showpiece, entirely of chocolate, your imagination running as wild as the theme would allow. The chocolatiers at the 2018 Callebaut Sydney Royal Chocolate Show took on the theme of ‘Spring’, with flights of fancy including birds and garden spades, frogs and flowers, and all made from chocolate. Coloured cocoa butter, food grade decorative metallic powders and edible gold or silver leaf were permitted, as were non-edible stands, but every decoration was made of chocolate. And every piece was assembled onsite, in front of an audience that held their breaths and tried to pick up a chocolate tip or two. The judges look at originality and artistic expression, degree of difficulty, execution and overall appearance of the chocolate showpieces. Somehow taste doesn’t come in to it, despite how deliciously attractive they appear. The Callebaut Sydney Royal Chocolate Show welcomed seven chocolate showpiece sculptors this year, awarding medals to all participants in two highly competitive classes. The student class was an opportunity to construct showpieces under competition conditions and to receive constructive feedback. The supportive environment was an obvious success – all students received scores above 70, with the gold medal going to Hayley Waterhouse on 81.67 points.

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Sweet success

History can repeat itself and it did at the 2018 Callebaut Sydney Royal Chocolate Show, with Myrtle & Pepper Fine Chocolate receiving Champion Chocolate for the second time. Native Australian Flavours more than satisfied our judges once again, giving Myrtle & Pepper the rare back-to-back Champion honours for their twelve handpainted chocolate bonbons.

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Grand Lamb

The Woodward family have been farming, producing and distributing the finest quality Australian beef and lamb since 1888. A five-generation family business, Woodward Foods has withstood the current crisis in weather patterns and delivered Champion Lamb to Sydney Royal judges and the world. This business is proudly focussed on industry best practice, animal welfare and sustainability, and operates under the mantra of a dedication to perfection.

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Winner winner, al dente pasta for dinner

Longstanding Sydney Royal Easter Show exhibitor, the Bianco Group has taken out Champion Durum Wheat Specialty Pasta at the Sydney Royal Taste of Excellence Awards following the prestigious Sydney Royal Pasta Competition. Feeding families at the Sydney Royal Easter Show for more than 20 years, the Bianco Group is known for traditional gnocchi pasta but they stepped things up a notch for the competition entering Goats Cheese & Chive filled Gnocchoni. Sydney Royal Pasta Judges were delighted by the exceptional flavour combination, awarding them the only Champion trophy of the pasta competition!  The Bianco Group, with a family history stemming back to Linguaglossa, Sicily, also collected three Silver Medals and one Gold for pasta entered this year. After migrating to Australia in the 1950s, the family opened their first business in Sydney’s ‘little Italy’, Leichhardt in 1982 and can now officially claim to make some of the finest pasta in the country.  You can view all the winners on Australia's Best Producers  here.

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If you build it in chocolate, they will come

Latex gloves and a spray gun have taken Santiago Cuyugan from Bibelot Patisserie in South Melbourne to Sydney Showground and then back to Brunswick Victoria as the winner of the Chocolate Showpiece Class at the Callebaut Sydney Royal Chocolate Show.

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Lamb defies the drought to Triumph at the Sydney Royal Spring Fine Food Show

Lamb entries have again defied the devastating drought to be named winner of the 2018 Dick Stone Perpetual Trophy at the Sydney Royal “Taste of Excellence Awards” held tonight at The Stables, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park. The Dick Stone Perpetual Trophy has been won by Victoria’s Woodward Foods Australia for its export grade Lamb (USA). The Trophy is decided amongst the Championship winners to emerge from the Branded Meat section of the coveted Sydney Royal Spring Fine Food Show held this month. Dick Stone was a true gentleman of the Australian Meat Industry that was resolute in his commitment to promoting excellence in the sector.   2018 is the first year the Dick Stone Perpetual Trophy has been expanded to include beef, lamb and pork classes presented to the expert judges. Chair of the Sydney Royal Spring Fine Food Committee and Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Councillor Lachlan Bowtell says this year’s competition was a testament to resilience; “Even through the ravages of drought Australian lamb producers have delivered yet again,” Lachlan Bowtell said. “The high quality and flavours of the lamb presented to the judges this year made their role even more difficult. “The Sydney Royal Fine Food Awards aim to reward excellence and this year was a true testament to the commitment and passion of not only lamb, but beef and pork producers, at times under dire circumstances,” Lachlan Bowtell said. Chair of Judges in the Branded Meat competition George R. Ujvary agreed; “The overall quality of Beef exhibits this year was very high and it was interesting to see the gap between the marbling quality of grass fed and grain fed beef exhibits closing yet again this year,” George Ujvary said. “The marbling of Wagyu exhibits this year was exceptional and flavour across all categories was very good. “In the Lamb competition, the standard of some exhibits was exceptionally high this year despite the conditions seen across the country which presented a number of challenges to producers. “The top exhibits were sweet in flavour, extremely tender and exceptional in mouthfeel and appearance. “Whilst the Pork competition is still in relative infancy, the standard of competition was high and we all look forward to seeing this competition develop in the coming years,” he said. During the competition 11 Gold Medals were awarded across seven classes in “Branded Meat” one of a series of time-honoured competitions conducted by the RAS and Sydney Royal across the calendar year. From the Gold Medallists, Championship winners in Branded Meat were as follows; CHAMPION LAMB (Classes 1 to 3) CL: 0002 WOODWARD FOODS AUSTRALIA WOODWARD FOODS EXPORT LAMB (USA) CN: 202 WOODWARD FOODS AUSTRALIA CHAMPION PORK (Classes 4 to 5) CL: 0004 DIAMOND SPRINGS PASTORAL PREMIUM FREE RANGE PORK - FEMALE CN: 400 DIAMOND SPRINGS PASTORAL CHAMPION BEEF (Classes 6 to 8) CL: 0006 MANNING VALLEY NATURALLY MANNING VALLEY NATURALLY BEEF CN: 604 WINGHAM BEEF EXPORTS BRANDED MEAT GRAND CHAMPION (Classes 1 to 8) CL: 0002 WOODWARD FOODS AUSTRALIA WOODWARD FOODS EXPORT LAMB (USA) The Dick Stone Perpetual Trophy, donated by Peggy Stone, for Branded Meat Grand Champion Exhibit. CL: 0002 WOODWARD FOODS AUSTRALIA WOODWARD FOODS EXPORT LAMB (USA) CN: 202 WOODWARD FOODS AUSTRALIA Ends. Media Contact: Roger White Manager, Public Relations Royal Agricultural Society of NSW P: (02) 9704 1453 E: rwhite@rasnsw.com.au Nicola Dalby Communications Coordinator Royal Agricultural Society of NSW P: (02) 9704 1401 E: ndalby@rasnsw.com.au

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Champions unveiled from the 2018 Callebaut Sydney Royal Chocolate Show

Chocolate is pure pleasure for many all over the world. However for some it is their livelihood, a source of inspiration and an outlet for their creativity.

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Jerky Trendy at the 2018 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show

Sydney Royal Competitions will soon click over 200 years, but this time-honoured organisation can never be accused of not keeping up with trends, particularly in food.

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Sydney Royal teams up with OzHarvest to give back to local charities

At a time when drought has meant a greater focus on the value of Australian produce, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW’s (RAS) Fine Food Committee has linked with food rescue organisation OzHarvest, to ensure surplus product from the annual Spring Fine Food Show is directed to where it’s needed most. In coming days, charities across Sydney could be receiving Sydney Royal Gold Medal winning Wagyu beef or delicious Champion level pork just judged as part of the Sydney Royal Spring Fine Food Show.

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Not so small after all

Sometimes big things do come in small packages and in the 2018 Callebaut Sydney Royal Chocolate Show, a large number of small chocolate boutiques have taken home big awards including coveted Sydney Royal Gold Medals.

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A show-stopping showpiece

Not only did the 2018 Callebaut Sydney Royal Chocolate Show reveal the high quality of the chocolate being produced in Australia, it also assured us the future of Australian chocolate is in safe hands.

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“Despite the adversity, we are still producing outstanding products” – Sydney Royal Chair of Judges (Cheese and Dairy).

Entries have opened today for the 2019 Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show with Chair of Judges Mark Livermore urging producers to enter despite the tough drought conditions they are currently facing. The Sydney Royal Cheese and Dairy Produce Show is a time-honoured annual competition celebrating excellence within the Australian Dairy Industry. It also helps to set acceptable standards within the dairy sector

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The ‘pleasure’ is all mine

Forget your usual chocolate flavours of caramel, mint and even cherry. This year at the 2018 Callebaut Sydney Royal Chocolate Show, the judges saw an array of combinations capable of making many a chocoholic’s dreams come true.

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May the odds be ever in your flavour

Forget Switzerland, Denmark and Ecuador as the chocolate capitals of the world. Currently Australia has raised the bar (chocolate that is) in producing medal quality chocolates.

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Hot Chocolate

Chocolate may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Far North Queensland, but two chocolatiers are doing their best to put the region on the chocolate lovers map. The Callebaut Sydney Royal Chocolate Show welcomed entries from Mossman’s The Australian Chocolate Farm and Charley’s Chocolate Factory in Mission Beach… and both were awarded Silver Medals for their chocolate. In a location more often associated with mango, coffee, papaya and sugar cane The Australian Chocolate Farm and Charley’s Chocolate Factory are creating award-winning chocolate including plain chocolate blocks, coconut dark chocolate, Davidson’s plum dark chocolate and even lemon myrtle dark. It may be renowned as the place the rainforest meets the reef, but Far North Queensland is now being recognised as the ideal location for cocoa, the trees are best grown in humid, tropical climates. This has attracted a new wave of chocolatiers, seduced by the abundance of natural flavours and bush tucker inspiration. The Australian Chocolate Farm took home Silver and a Bronze, whilst Charley’s Chocolate Factory received two Silver and four Bronze medals. Queensland also produced the perfectly named Seatonfire Chilli Chocolate salted caramel dark chilli chocolate, coming from the tiny town of Murphys Creek. For more Callebaut Sydney Royal Chocolate Show chocolates visit Australia's Best Producers here.

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Judging Begins today at the Sydney Royal Spring Fine Food Show

Now watch them bring in their best in the annual series of the Sydney Royal Spring Fine Food Competitions. Yes it has been another tough winter, but our primary producers are a resilient bunch and we’ll get to see just how resilient in the upcoming Sydney Royal Spring Fine Food series of competitions at The Stables, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park.

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Pasta masters

Italy is the world’s largest exporter of pasta – no surprise there. However, a lot of the pasta they are exporting is made with Australian grown durum wheat. Italian farmers cannot grow enough durum wheat to keep up with demands of pasta producers, resulting in almost half of Australia’s durum being exported to Italy… where it is regarded by Italian millers as the best in the world.

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Small producers, BIG hearts

You know that little winery you visited on a quick trip when you were in your 20’s? That small winery run by a gorgeous family that opened your mind to how good a glass of wine could be…

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Sheep & Wool Competitions on Show for 12 Days

The RAS of NSW Sheep & Wool Committee is pleased to announce that the 2019 Sydney Royal Sheep & Wool Competitions will be held over the entire 12 days of the Show and not 6 days as has been at past Shows.

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One Gold Medal beer, six beer brewing brothers

Six brothers from Sydney with a passion for craft beer have delivered the Best NSW Beer to judges at the Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show. Handcrafted by The Australian Brewery, Seis Hermanos Lager is a Mexican lager that suits the Australian Summer.

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Reduced alcohol, increased flavour

The flavour of the month at the 2018 Sydney Royal Beer, Wine & Cider Show was reduced-alcohol beer. With a 200 per cent increase in entries, this class awarded medals to more than half the brews received, so perhaps the days of ‘low alcohol = low taste’ are well and truly over. And why the increased entry numbers? The judges put it down to tax, taste and torsos.

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Fizz the season

Feelin’ bubbly? Like a box of chocolate, wine is usually the thing you bring to a party when you’re told not to bring a thing. With the weekend fast approaching, what better way to celebrate your Friday night dinner party than by popping open a bottle of Sydney Royals finest.

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Get your kicks from this pack of six!

Much be known to many, it doesn’t cost the world for a good bottle of wine. To think that you have to compromise on quality and taste when buying a bottle that fits into your budget just isn’t the case these days. This is definitely evident with one of these best value wines, being awarded a Sydney Royal Gold Medal and retails for only $10.  Get your hands on this pack of six!   Top Best Value Wines: Houghton: 2016, Shiraz REYNELLA SA 95.0 = $9 Brown Brothers Milawa Vineyard Pty Ltd: 2017, 18 Eighty Nine Tempranillo MILAWA VIC 95.0 =  $15.99 Chapel Hill: 2017, The Parson Cabernet Sauvignon MCLAREN VALE SA 95.0 = $15.99 De Bortoli Wines: 2017, La Bohème Act 4 Syrah Gamay BILBUL NSW 95.0 = $16.70 6/18 De Iuliis Wines: 2018, Semillon CESSNOCK NSW 88.0 = $17 Ingoldby: 2016, Cabernet Shiraz Merlot NURIOOPTA SA 95.0 = $20 Discover more winners of the KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show  here.  

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Brokenwood Chardonnay named Best NSW Wine 2018

Once described as a red wine masquerading as a white, the Hunter Valley’s most important grape helped Brokenwood Wines take out the title of Best NSW Wine at the KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Awards, the honour going to their 2016 Forest Edge Chardonnay.  Awarded the James Busby Perpetual Trophy, Brokenwood Wines was established in 1970 in the foothills of the Hunter Valley’s Brokenback Ranges. One hundred and forty years earlier James Busby planted more than 350 varieties of grape vine cuttings in the region, establishing the birthplace of Australian wine. Donated by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, the James Busby Perpetual Trophy is awarded to the NSW wine achieving the highest total medal score over the previous 12 months on the NSW Wine Show circuit. To be eligible, a wine must have entered all of the following wine show tiers: A) Regional Wine Show - must have entered at least one of the following shows: 2017 Hunter Valley Wine Show, 2017 Riverina Wine Show (Riverina GI wines only), 2017 Mudgee Wine Show 2017, Canberra & Region Wine Show (includes the whole Southern NSW Zone, Southern Highlands and South Coast), 2017 Orange Wine Show, 2017 New England Wine Show.  Points awarded to Gold medal winning Exhibits only. B) 2017 NSW Wine Awards. Points awarded to Gold, Silver and Bronze medal winning Exhibits. C) 2018 KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show. Points awarded to Gold medal-winning Exhibits. Brokenwood Wines 2016 Forest Edge Chardonnay picked up Best Chardonnay at the New South Wales Wine Awards 2017, a Gold Medal at the St Martin Orange Wine Show 2017 and a Gold Medal at the 2018 KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show. Other trophy winning Hunter Valley wines this year were Two Rivers 2018 Stones Throw Semillon, Best Value White and Bimbadgen 2013 Signature Semillon, Best Semillon. 

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On Tuesday's we drink pink

It’s time to stop and smell the Rosé. Last week, the winners of the KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show were announced. With so many wines awarded a Bronze, Silver or Gold medal, it can be a little overwhelming looking at the results and figuring out which wine you would like to try. At the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS), we’ve simplified it by delivering top ten lists over the upcoming days so you know exactly which wines you should purchase and with it being International Rosé Day, we thought what better way than to kick off with the top 10 Rosés’ of 2018. Longview Vineyard: 2018, Nebbiolo Rosato MACCLESFIELD SA - GOLD Tahbilk Pty Ltd: 2017, Rosé NAGAMBIE VIC - GOLD Hahndorf Hill Winery: 2018, Rosé HAHNDORF SA - GOLD De Iuliis Wines: 2018, Rosé CESSNOCK NSW - SILVER Chateau Yaldara: 2017, Rosé LYNDOCH SA - SILVER Windowrie Winery: 2017, Estate Pig In The House Rosé CANOWINDRA NSW - SILVER Peter Lehmann Wines: 2017, Portrait Rosé TANUNDA SA - SILVER Howard Vineyard: 2018, Range Rosé NAIRNE SA - SILVER Bird In Hand: 2018, Pinot Noir Rosé WOODSIDE SA - BRONZE The Yalumba Wine Company: 2018, Y Series Sangiovese Rosé ANGASTON SA - BRONZE Discover more Rosé winners from the KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show here.  

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Sydney Royal Beer and Cider Award Winners named at Sydney Showground

Australia's emergence as a force in quality craft beer and cider making has been celebrated this weekend with the staging of the Sydney Royal Beer and Cider awards at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park. The announcement of the Sydney Royal Beer and Cider awards was the culmination of weeks of expert judging of both the KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show and the Sydney Royal Beer and Cider Show. While the connection between beer competition and the Agricultural Society of NSW dates back to 1824 (the awarding of ten Spanish dollars for a hogshead of the best beer at Parramatta), there was no beer competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show from 1918-2007. The Sydney Royal Beer and Cider competition earned its own stand-alone status in 2013 and has gone from strength to strength as its popularity among Australian beer and cider devotees grows. Chair of the Sydney Royal Beer and Cider Awards Neal Cameron says the standard of entries is improving year on year; "The quality of the beers we are getting through is just incredible, to the point that if brewers don't reach a certain marking standard, Judges become a little annoyed that you have made them drink that beer," Neal Cameron said. "The quality of ciders was also exemplary this year," he said. Of the 225 entries received this year, five champions were chosen. They were: CHAMPION PACKAGED BEER - PIRATE LIFE BREWING PIRATE LIFE BREWING PIRATE LIFE MOSAIC IPA CHAMPION DRAUGHT BEER - LORD NELSON BREWERY LORD NELSON NELSPRESSO BROWN ALE CHAMPION EXPERIMENTAL OR SPECIALTY BEER - HOPE BREWHOUSE HOPE BREWHOUSE BARREL AGED EXTRA STOUT BEST NSW BEER - AUSTRALIAN BREWERY AUSTRALIAN SEIS HERMANOS CHAMPION CIDER - FLYING BRICK CIDER CO FLYING BRICK CIDER ORIGINAL CIDER. Blair Hayden, Managing Director of Sydney’s Lord Nelson Brewery (winner of Champion Draught Beer) says the Australian Beer and Cider industry watches closely international REWARDING EXCELLENCE IN AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE influences and innovation to help satisfy the developing tastes of Australian drinkers, but is devoted to Australian product; "It is a very strong growth industry within Australia and I think the influence of established brewers such as ourselves who are 100% natural and obviously using Australian malted barley and supporting the country’s needs augurs well for the industry in this country," Blair Hayden said. Flying Brick Cider Co. from Wallington near Geelong in Victoria flew the flag for the Cider sector as the sole champion amongst the five champions declared at the Sydney Showground presentation. All Sydney Royal Beer and Cider competition results can be found here; www.rasnsw.com.au/sydney-royal-competitions/competitions/beer--cider/results/   For further information and images of the Beer and Cider Awards please contact: Roger White Manager, Public Relations Manager Royal Agricultural Society of NSW t 02 9704 1453 m 0478 092 425 e rwhite@rasnsw.com.au

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Chardonnay named Wine of the Show at a record breaking 2018 KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show

The 2018 KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show has produced a tale in two parts – the continued excellence of some of Australia’s household names in winemaking and the emergence of the new brigade.

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Sydney Royal's Grape, Grain & Graze Festival to ignite Sydney tastebuds

For lovers of fine wine it is truly a once a year opportunity. The Grape, Grain & Graze Festival, formerly known as the Sydney Royal Wine Experience, will be held on Saturday afternoon, 11 August, 2018 at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park (2pm to 6pm). Not only does the Grape, Grain & Graze Festival allow you to taste this year’s Sydney Royal award-winning wines, beers and ciders, but you will also find out why they were the choice of the experts through face-to-face tutorials. All this with Sydney Royal award–winning food and music to match. Each of the 2300 wines judged behind closed doors in the annual KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show just days earlier will be on offer, allowing ticketholders to make their own judgements, as will beer and cider medallists awarded by industry experts in the Sydney Royal Beer and Cider Show. Industry Judges will be on hand to answer your questions and guide your palate around the stunning array of varietals and blends. Chair of the Sydney Royal Wine Committee Sally Evans says the Grape, Grain & Graze Festival is unique: “Nowhere else in Australia will you be given this sort of opportunity to taste such a vast array of award-winning wines, beers, ciders and produce,” Sally Evans said, “This is a once a year experience, offering extraordinary value for money, which brings the public into direct contact with the very best Australia has to offer from the land. “These producers take extreme pride in what they create, and for the public to be able to enjoy these offerings on such a grand scale and all in the one location is a real treat. “Whether you are seeking a fun afternoon out with your girlfriends, your partner or a group of mates, our team at Sydney Royal has every base covered for you,” Sally Evans said.        Event Details Date & Time: Saturday 11 August 2018, 2pm-6pm Ticketing: Pre-Purchased Single ticket $90 + booking fee (bf) Double Passes $164 + bf Closes Friday 10 August at 5pm RAS Member Prices - Please use the Promotional Code provided in the Members Newsletter to receive the discount Single Ticket $80 + bf (pre-purchased) Double Pass $150 + bf Groups of more than 10 tickets attract a discount and can be purchased by contacting Lindsey at GGG@rasnsw.com.au Door Ticket – Public: Single Ticket $100 Double Pass $184 Door Ticket – Members: (Showing Membership) $90 Please note: the online ticketing link will close Friday 10 August at 5pm. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased at the door on the day Your Ticket Includes: 1x Riedel Ouverture Glass Unlimited tasting of the 2018 KPMG Sydney Wine Show Entries (2200+) Access to the Trophy Room (5x Tastings) Access to the Beer & Cider Garden 2x Beer/Cider Tasting Paddle Vouchers Grazing stations that include a huge array of Sydney Royal award-winning products Event Guide and Results Catalogue Wine “Judges Masterclass” with Chair of Judges PJ Charteris and International Judge Fongyee Walker MW Beer & Cider “Judges Masterclass” with Chair of Judges Neal Cameron, as well as other Beer & Cider experts. Sydney Royal award-winning producers onsite offering tastings and products to purchase For more information: http://www.rasnsw.com.au/events/GrapeGrainGraze/ This is an 18+ only event, ID may be requested upon arrival.   Media Contact: Roger White Manager, Public Relations Royal Agricultural Society of NSW P: 02 9704 1453 E: rwhite@rasnsw.com.au or Nicola Dalby Communications Coordinator Royal Agricultural Society of NSW P: 02 9704 1401 E: ndalby@rasnsw.com.au

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Sydney Royal Regional Food Judge - Brigid Treloar

Food consultant, media presenter, author, educator With eight cookbooks on her resume, specialist cooking classes taught, countless restaurant reviews written,  and a weekly radio food segment, it is fair to say Brigid knows more about food and cooking than most. Her role as Chair of Judges for the Sydney Royal Regional Food Competition will see Brigid assessing everything from spice blends to sweet jams, nut butters to confectionary and even cold-pressed juice and vinegar.

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Meet Branded Meat judge, Dr George Ujvary

CEO Olga’s Fine Foods, founding board member FoodSA, board member Master Butchers, food blogger and gastronomy lecturer Taking leave from his family business Olga’s Fine Foods in South Australia, this is Dr George Ujvary’s third year as Chair of Judges for the Sydney Royal Branded Meat competition. He recognises the value in connecting with primary producers and providing feedback that encourages the pursuit of excellence. George is a strong advocate for consumers to choose local food, and firmly believes it is important to know exactly where your food is coming from. The opportunity to judge 100% Australian farmed lamb, beef and pork has drawn George back to Sydney Royal competitions for seven years. Image from Olga's Fine Foods Facebook Page 

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Meet Branded Meat judge, Sam Burke

Corporate Chef and foodservice business manager Meat & Livestock Australia Sam Burke has cooked all over the world, from McDonald’s Japan to the Australian High Commission in London, but his favourite ingredient remains Australian beef. He travels the world promoting the quality and diversity of our beef, and works closely alongside farmers, food traders and chefs ensuring the standard remains high. This is Sam’s fourth year with Sydney Royal and once again, he will be closely judging the quality of 100% Australian farmed lamb, beef and pork. Image from the Chef Samual Burke Facebook Page. 

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Meet Branded Meat Judge, Karen Doyle

Head Chef, Award Winner, Head Teacher, Le Cordon Bleu Australia Program Manager… and Sydney Royal Branded Meat Judge, Karen Doyle From a summer job as a commis chef in a boutique 5-star hotel in Ireland to Le Cordon Bleu Australia, Karen Doyle has followed her passion for quality ingredients and culinary experiences. She has worn many hats in a career that has included Head Chef and restaurant owner to Head Teacher and Program Manager. Karen’s award-winning culinary calling sees her perfectly positioned to judge Branded Meats in the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show. In her seventh year as a judge, Karen will taste an incredible array of 100% Australian farmed lamb, beef and pork including lamb rib racks and boneless pork loin. With a heavy weighting of 30% of each score allocated for tenderness, Karen will be enjoying young cuts of meat that have been quickly seared or grilled. Image from Le Cordon Bleu Australia Facebook Page 

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(RASF) scholarship to fund “low budget - big ambitions” to advance the Australian Wine Industry

The winemaking sector in Australia is full of amazing stories of people who have been able to turn their talents or bright ambition into market-leading labels, scientific breakthroughs or world-class innovations.

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Poacher’s Pantry Smoked Duck Breast, Rothwood Mudgee Pickled Cherries, fennel and rosemary

Recipes serves 4 entrees Ingredients 2 x Poacher’s Pantry Smoked Duck Breast 290gm jar Rothwood Mudgee Pickled Cherries 40ml rosemary infused extra virgin olive oil Micro herbs - Red vein sorrel, watercress, chervil and red elk Pickled Cherry Gel 100     ml       Pickled Cherry Juice           0.6      gm      Agar Agar     0.2      gm      Xanthan Gum          METHOD: Drain the cherries and set aside. Place 100mls of the pickled cherry juice in a pot and bring to the boil. Whisk the agar agar until well combined and starts to thicken. Then cool in the fridge to 4 degrees in a bowl and let it set like a jelly. Once set, place in a small blender (I use a spice grinder) until smooth. While motor is running add xanthan gum. Refrigerate until ready to assemble the dish. Pickled pencil fennel 1 bunch pencil fennel or 1 baby fennel, shaved 70ml rice vinegar 30gm sugar 70ml water Pinch sea salt METHOD: Wash and trim the end of the pencil fennel, Put fennel in a zip lock bag, keep the fennel tips for garnish. Bring rice vinegar, sugar, water and salt to the boil. Cool the pickling liquid then pour over the pencil fennel. Remove air from the bag and seal. Refrigerate for 24 hours. If using baby fennel finely shave and put in pickling liquid for 1 to 2 hours. Fennel and black pepper brick pastry 1 Brick pastry sheet 20gm melted butter 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, roasted and crushed 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns, roasted and crushed 1 teaspoon rosemary, chopped 1/2 teaspoon Murray River pink salt METHOD: Brush the brick pastry with melted butter and sprinkle with fennel seeds, salt, pepper and rosemary, Bake in a pre-heated oven at 150 degrees for 5-8 minutes until golden brown. Assemble the dish Slice the duck length ways and arrange half a breast per person on a plate, Pit the cherries and cut in half. Cut the brick pastry into 1cm strips. Put a couple of spoons of the cherry gel, pickled pencil fennel, cherries, brick pastry and herbs on the plate and finish with a splash of the rosemary infused oil. Chef’s tips: If you don’t have time to make the cherry gel, just whisk 40ml of pickled cherry juice and rosemary infused oil and drizzle of dish to finish.  Enjoy! Tim Browne Executive Chef, Royal Agricultural Society of NSW

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The science of tempering chocolate

When we hear the word ‘chocolatier’,  it brings to mind a man in a brown suede top hat  and a long purple blazer,  the gorgeous Willy Wonka. He depicts a wonderful world of sweets and decadent goodness all within his very own chocolate factory. The classic character from our childhood presents a mouth-watering world where we see the likes of Scrumdiddlyumptious bars, Ever-lasting Gobstoppers and, of course, Wonka Bars. The famous Wonka Bar  was created with pure imagination and some assistance from always smiling oo