Fine Foods Competition History

The evolution of the Sydney Royal Fine Foods Show had its beginnings in the early to mid-1990s. During that period various food competitions became independent, separating from the somewhat miscellaneous groupings under which they had previously competed. In 1992 for example, dairy produce; hams, bacon and smallgoods; and apiculture were all under the one competition banner but by 1995 they had separated out into their individual competitions and the Bread, Cake & Pie Show, was also introduced. Ham, bacon and smallgoods; and breads, cakes and pies, would soon join under the Fine Food banner but apiculture remained a separate Easter Show competition, evolving into the National Honey Competition in 2010, as it is still known today.

These developments were reflections of a wider trend – a revolution in food was underway and public interest in food and food preparation was skyrocketing. Recognising this, the RAS used the Show’s 1998 relocation to Sydney Olympic Park as the moment to bring all food competitions together under one, new umbrella: the Sydney Royal Find Food Show. In rewarding the makers of best quality food products and in promoting their gate to plate stories, the RAS had found a fresh way to promote agriculture to a public increasingly distant from it. And at the new Showground, the physical space of the Dome, with its District Exhibit displays of outstanding produce, proved the perfect place to centre this new focus on food.  

 

At the first Sydney Royal Fine Food Show in 1998, Olive Oil and Coffee were also added to the list of competitions. Alterations continued to be made periodically and in 2000 for example, the Ham, Bacon and Smallgoods Fine Food section was renamed ‘Deli Meats’, before being renamed again in 2018 as ‘Smallgoods and Charcuterie’. 

 

In 2006 a best-of-the-best award called the 'President’s Medal' was introduced to recognise an overall champion food product, drawn from Sydney Royal Champions throughout the year. Importantly and uniquely, the Medal is not awarded solely on taste: the Medal recognises a producer’s overall financial, social and environmental integrity through the entire production cycle from gate to plate. In its examination and celebration of inspirational agricultural food and beverage products, the President’s Medal has become one of the most prestigious awards of the entire Show.

Timeline

1998  Inaugural Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.

1999  Pasta competition introduced.

2000  Ham, Bacon, & Smallgoods section renamed Deli Meats.

2001  Aquaculture competition introduced.

2003  Regional Food competition begins (includes preserves, condiments, and specialty products from 2004 onwards)

2003-2007  An annual gala dinner called ‘The Best of the Land Dinner’ is run to celebrate the Sydney Royal Wine, Dairy, and Fine Food Shows, using award winning produce and wines.

2005  Branded Beef officially introduced after a successful trial the year before.

2006  Introduction of the President’s Medal as a supreme champion award. First recipient: Tathra Oysters.

2007  Beer competition begins.

2007  President’s Medal presentation ceremony held as part of the Best of the Land Dinner

2008  Lamb competition added.

2008  The Best of the Land Dinner becomes known as the President’s Medal Dinner.

2013  Cider added to make the Beer & Cider competition.

2013  Chocolate separates from Dairy Produce and becomes its own competition.

2014  Bread, Cake & Pie renamed Professional Bakery Competition.

2018  Deli Meats renamed Smallgoods & Charcuterie.

2018  Branded Meat Competition takes over former Beef and Lamb competitions.