This year the competition welcomed a range of new exhibitors, with first-time entrants making up 25 per cent of the exhibitor count. From these new exhibitors, 51 medals were awarded. Across the board, 368 medals were presented.
Following four days of judging, which saw over 500 entries compete across 95 classes, including categories such as cheese, yoghurt, gelato, and sheep, goat, buffalo and camel milk products, eighteen champion products were named. The competition awarded 71 gold, 127 silver, and 170 bronze medals.
RAS 15th Annual President’s Medal finalist Robertson’s (NSW) Pecora Dairy, reclaimed its 2021 title taking home Champion Cheese of Show for its Yarrawa cheese, while South Gippsland’s (VIC) Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese showed its 2022 Champion Cheese of Show, Oak Blue, was still an award-winner by claiming Champion Specialty Cheese.
Fonterra Australia – Spreyton claimed Champion Butter for its Duck River Premium Butter made in Smithton (TAS), and Brownes Dairy represented Balcatta (WA), winning Champion White Milk for its Brownes Lactose Free Full Cream Milk.
Elizabeth Town’s (TAS) Van Diemans Land Creamery impressed the judges with its Lemon Curd Ice Cream, winning Champion Full Cream Ice Cream or Gelato, while Sydney’s (NSW) Gelateria Goldola took home Champion Low/Reduced Fat Ice Cream or Gelato with its Frutto Della Passione.
The 2023 Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show Champions:
Champion Butter
Fonterra Australia – Spreyton for its Duck River Premium Butter 20g
Champion White Milk
Brownes Dairy for its Brownes Lactose Free Full Cream Milk 1L
Champion Flavoured Milk
Sharma’s Kitchen for its Sharma’s Kitchen Milk Badam
Champion Cheddar Cheese
Bega Cheese for its Bega Vintage 20 kg
Champion Specialty Cheese
Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese for its Oak Blue
Champion Cow Milk Cheese
Bega Cheese for its Bega Vintage 20 kg
Champion Cheese of Show
Pecora Dairy for its Pecora Dairy – Yarrawa
Australian Cheeseboard
Bega Cheese, Bega Vintage 20 kg
Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese, Oak Blue
Yarra Valley Dairy, Yarra Valley Dairy Hubert’s 180g
Pecora Dairy, Pecora Dairy Yarrawa
Meredith Dairy, Meredith Dairy Fresh Goats Cheese Dusted with Ash
Champion Full Cream Ice Cream or Gelato
Van Diemens Land Creamery for its Lemon Curd Ice Cream
Champion Low/Reduced Fat Ice Cream or Gelato
Gelateria Gondola for its Frutto Della Passione
Champion Yoghurt or Cultured Milk Product
Sharma’s Kitchen for its Sharma’s Kitchen Mango Lassi
Champion Frozen Yoghurt
Pure Gelato for its Strawberry Yogurt Ripple
Champion Cream
The Big Little Dairy Company for its Singe Sourced Pure Pouring Cream 2 Litres
Champion Sheep, Goat, Buffalo or Camel Milk Product
Pecora Dairy for its Pecora Dairy Yarrawa
Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show guest international judge Craig Gile said the range of cheeses available and the quality of judges was ‘phenomenal’.
“I have been fortunate enough to be a part of a lot of different contests throughout the world, and this has got to be one of the most interesting and well-organised contests I have been to.
“One of the big standouts, for me, was the high-end ingredients that were added into the cheese, which I don’t always see at different contests throughout the world – that was fantastic. I’ve also enjoyed having access to your high-end creams. I think that is one category you do even stronger than the U.S,” Gile said.
