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Specialty Foods

The Sydney Royal Fine Food Show— Specialty Food Competition is one of Australia's premier awards program, renowned for driving innovation and setting a benchmark of excellence in the production of specialty products from across the country.
 
In recent years the Competition has grown with categories specialising in sweet, savoury, umami products and more. All products entered into this competition must be 85% Australian origin.
 
There is a vast range of items that can be entered in this competition. Please refer to the Schedule for more information on the different classes that make up the Specialty Foods Competition.
 
All Exhibitors, whether first-time entrant or a Champion winner, receive valuable feedback from the judges, helping to benchmark products against industry standards, peers and competitors.
 
Both well-established, recognisable brands and new products are invited to enter. Sydney Royal award presentation events and additional Sydney Royal event opportunities for medal winners are a great place to meet other producers, share stories, expand your network and enjoy the power of the producer community.
Early May 2024

Entries open

12 June 2024

Entries close

12 - 14 August 2024

Exhibits to be delivered

15 - 16 August 2024

Judging

Early September 2024

Results published

21 September 2024

Champions announced

Sydney Royal Competitions encourage and reward excellence, with the aim to support a viable and prosperous future for our agricultural communities.

The Sydney Royal Fine Food Show engages experienced and respected industry professionals as Judges and firmly endorses the development of future Judges with a strong succession plan through Associate Judges.

Judging panels are constituted from a combination of the following:

  • Manufacturers and technologists from industry

  • Product users

  • Product retailers

  • Chefs

  • Other specialist and industry judges

Associate Judging

The Fine Food Committee has embarked on a path of growing the pool of Judges available and have adopted a rotation policy to refresh the judging panels and give them a different dynamic and capture potential new Judges coming through the industry and therefore endorses the development of future Judges by offering Associate Judging positions.

The integrity of Sydney Royal competitions rest in the hands of accomplished, knowledgeable and, most importantly, independent judges.

The process is overseen by a Chair of Judges and includes separate judging panels. Each panel consists of one Panel Chair, two Judges and two Associate Judges.

Medals are determined by the Judges using the following point scale:

  • Gold medal for outstanding Exhibits gaining 90.00pts and over;
  • Silver medal for excellent Exhibits gaining 82.00pts but less than 90.00pts;
  • Bronze medal for quality Exhibits gaining 74.00pts but less than 82.00pts.

Championships are determined using the Borda Count Method. 

Stewards play a valuable part in the judging of each Competition and ensure the day runs smoothly through the coordination and preparation of Exhibits for Judges. Stewarding is a fantastic way of learning more about the industry, competitions and the judging process, with opportunities to develop into Associate Judge and Judge roles in the future.

Opportunity to be involved in high profile and prestigious Sydney Royal Competitions, renowned all across Australia.

  • Engage with industry members, build relationships and networking opportunities.
  • Keep abreast with the industry, changes in trends and identify up and coming producers.
  • Enjoy a hands-on experience and develop an understanding of the judging process. We encourage Judges and Stewards to work together and where the opportunity arises, we ask Judges to expose Stewards to sample Exhibits so to learn what attributes and defects the Judges are looking for in their assessment of product.

Judges, Stewards and the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) Councillors alike are all voluntary positions. The RAS appreciates the expertise and contribution of all Officials and Councillors. If you have any questions, please send your enquiry via email to  sydneyroyal@rasnsw.com.au.

Sydney Royal stewarding and judging expressions of interest

 

Please select the Sydney Royal Competition/s you are interested in*

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