‘Shroomi’ burger sets the bar for Australia’s plant-based products at the 2022 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show

After a month of judging, across seven individual competitions, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) has today announced the Champion medal products of its 2022 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show, with results reflecting a rise in the quality and market demand of plant-based and gluten-free products.

In line with growing consumer trends, a plant-based section was added to the Specialty Foods competition in 2021. In just its second year, the category has claimed its first champion medal thanks to a standout performer in the ‘Shroomi Burger’, an invention by Alexandria’s ‘Made by Kade’.

The mushroom-based, vegan and gluten-free burger was not only the highest scorer in the plant-based category but was also crowned ‘Champion Other Specialty Product’, a title which excludes only preserves, vinegars and coffee.

Sydney Royal Fine Food Show Committee Chair, Lachlan Bowtell, believes the plant-based market provides a massive opportunity.

 “Some would say that the plant-based products on our supermarket shelves are a fad, I firmly believe it’s a trend and one that the Australian Ag Sector cannot ignore”, Lachlan Bowtell said.

“We import most of the ingredients for these products and we need to develop this sector as an Australian Ag Sector opportunity. That’s why, for the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show, we require products to have 85% Australian content.”  

In the bakery section, gluten-free products once again stole the show with Wholegreen Bakery defending its title after making history in 2021 when its gluten-free Chocolate Éclair was announced as the first-ever gluten-free product to claim Champion Pastry. In 2022, the Waverley bakery took a savoury approach and has won Champion Pastry once again with its gluten-free pork and fennel sausage roll.

“Gluten-free products have increased over the years, which is a reflection of consumer needs and dietary requirements. It’s encouraging that these products are continuing to win against more traditional products, purely because of their good calibre – not simply because they are gluten-free.”

In the Smallgoods & Charcuterie competition, salami was a hotly contested category, with Papandrea Fine Foods’ Cacciatore Fennel Hot Salami emerging with the Champion Trophy and the highest score across the entire Fine Food Show. The Wetherill Park business also picked up an additional 7 gold medals.

“The standard was very high, across all competitions, and our judges were very pleased with the exhibits. It’s great to see so many companies submit their products for evaluation. The Sydney Royal Fine Food Show provides invaluable feedback for exhibitors, by the best judges in the country, which will continue to drive product quality going forward”, Lachlan Bowtell said.

All 2022 Sydney Royal Fine Food Champion are listed below. Full results (including Gold, Silver & Bronze medals) can be found at the RAS website