The Heroes of The Dish – Delicious Produce Awards
This week is auspicious for several reasons – it signifies the end to Season 7 of MasterChef Australia as well as the announcement of the winners of the Delicious Produce Awards.
For those who didn’t watch the MasterChef finale, you’ll have to stay with me, but it’s no accident that the final MasterChef Mystery Box (I know, I know – but stay with me!) was all about celebrating the producers (there we go!) – it’s pretty hard to produce anything on the plate without the necessary produce.
But as I’ve come to realise, it’s also pretty hard to muck something up when you start with ingredients that are, for want of a better word, delicious.
The key then, is to do as little to them as possible – the producers themselves have already done the work.
What I love most about the Delicious Produce Awards is the judging panel – it’s made up of some of the strongest, most discerning palates in the country.
People like Valli Little, Alla Wolf Tasker, Matt Preston. Chefs, restaurateurs and food writers who make it their life’s work to champion food.
As the “Godfather of Modern Cuisine” Marco Pierre White aptly wrote on my copy of Bread, Wine & Thou last week, “Mother Nature is the true artist – you’re just the cook”.
Now we’re lucky enough to have most of the award winners in stock, and if not, we’re also blessed with traders who are willing to take requests and enrich their inventory – so if you don’t find one of these on the shelves at the market, ask!
Produce Awards 2015 Winners (and where you can find them!)
(courtesy of Taste.com.au)
FROM THE SEA
Austral Fisheries, Skull Island tiger prawns, NT (Claringbold’s Seafoods)
Yarra Valley Caviar, Hand-milked salmon caviar, Vic (Claringbold’s Seafoods)
FROM THE EARTH
Kurrawong Organics, Organic beetroot & broccoli, NSW
Wellington Apiary, Prickly box honey, Tas (The Essential Ingredient)
FROM THE PADDOCK
Milking Yard Farm, Sommerlad breed whole chicken, Vic
Backfatters Heritage Breed Free Range Pig Farm, German bacon, Qld
FROM THE DAIRY
Mungalli Creek Dairy, Biodynamic organic full cream milk, Qld (Ripe Organics)
Schulz Organic Dairy, Organic full cream milk, Vic (Market Lane Coffee)
Pyengana Dairy Company, Tasty cheddar (12+ months), Tas (Delicatess) – AND Mauro Callegari even used this cheese in a demonstration he did at the Market earlier this year- click through for deliciousness.
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Pyengana Dairy Company, Tasty cheddar (12+ months), Tas (Delicatess)
BEST NEW PRODUCT
The Fermentary, Milk kefir, Vic
HALL OF FAME – PRESENTED BY YOU’RE BETTER ON BEEF
Blackmore Wagyu Beef, Vic
Holy Goat Cheese La Luna, Vic (Pete ‘n’ Rosie’s)
Mondo White Rocks Veal, WA
Here’s the complete list of the Delicious Produce Awards 2015 finalists and look out for the full story in the August issue of Delicious Magazine.
