Aquaculture
The Sydney Royal Fine Food Show—Aquaculture Competition is dedicated to safeguarding Australia’s international reputation as a producer of safe, sustainable and high-quality seafood products.
Competitions are held twice a year to accommodate the seasonality of products:
- Judging of the Sydney Rock Oyster classes are held during the Sydney Royal Easter Show,
- Judging of the Pacific and Angasi Oyster classes are held each Spring during the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.
Smoked/Cured and Other Aquaculture products, including abalone, mussels, eel and more, are judged during the Sydney Royal Specialty Foods Competition.
All Exhibitors, whether a first-time entrant or a Champion winner, receive valuable feedback from the judges, helping to benchmark products against peers and competitors in the industry.
Independent judging panels are comprised of expert industry specialists, technologists, manufacturers, product users, educators, retailers and chefs.
Aquaculture is a close-knit community. When you enter a Sydney Royal Aquaculture competition you can meet other like-minded aquaculturists, share stories, expand your network and enjoy the power of this niche community.
Check the Fine Food Schedule to determine which Aquaculture competition you should enter.
- Sydney Rock Oyster Key Dates
- Spring Show Key Dates
- Results
- Judging & Stewarding
- Meet our Judges
- Expression of Interest
- Subscribe
Entries Open
Entries Close
Exhibits Delivered
Judging
Results and Champions Announced
Entries Open
Entries Close
Exhibits to be delivered
Judging
Results
Champions Announced
Proudly sponsored by
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.
Chair of Judges
John Susman, Director, Fishtales
International Judge
Martin Bosley, Owner and Director, Yellow Brick Road, New Zealand
Judges
Colin Barker, Executive Chef, Lot 101 Megalong Valley
Sue Bastian, Associate Professor, University of Adelaide
P-J Charteris, Winemaker / Owner, Charteris Wine Consulting
Corey Costelloe, Previously Culinary Director soon to be restaurant owner
Jules Crocker, National Sales Manager, Poulos Bros Seafoods
Ian Lyall, Program Leader Aquaculture, NSW Department of Primary Industries
Bosley McGee, Head Butcher, Fish Butchery
Steve McOrrie, Retired, Previously Aquaculture Manager Oysters, NSW Department of Primary Industries
Andy Myers, Oyster Projects Manager, NSW Farmers Association
Wayne O'Connor, Senior Principal Research Scientist, NSW Department of Primary Industries
Anthony Zammit, NSW Shellfish Program Manager, NSW Department of Primary Industries
Associate Judges
Sam Christie, Director, The Apollo Group
Stu Gregor, Founder & Director, Liquid Ideas
Jules Lobb, Commercial Manager, Clamms Seafood
Sydney Royal stewarding and judging expressions of interest