Fruchocs maker Menz and Golden North recognised as ‘legends’ at SA food industry’s gala awards

The shining stars of SA’s food industry have been recognised at the annual awards event on Friday – see the full list of winners here.

Golden North Ice Cream and Fruchocs maker Menz were named “Legends For Life” at the 2022 SA Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards held on Friday night.

The awards list included stalwarts of the South Australian food scene such as Haigh’s Chocolates which picked up a Consumer Award, La Casa Del Formaggio which claimed the top Business Excellence gong along with Eyrewoolf Abalone, and baby formula company mumamoo which was recognised with the Emerging Business Award.

For the first time a Mental Health and Wellbeing Award was also given out, going to pick your own strawberry and produce company Harvest the Fleurieu.

Food South Australia chief executive Catherine Sayer said the passion, innovation and unity of the state’s food and beverage industry was on full display at the gala event on Friday night.

Polly Love with a giant map made of FruChocs. Picture: Matt Turner

“All our winners, finalists and entrants are worthy of accolades, but we are this year particularly delighted to recognise Mitani Group, our Hall of Fame Inductee, for its significant and sustainable contribution to the food and beverage industry since first opening its doors in 1979,’’ Ms Sayer said.

“We were also pleased to present the Mental Health and Wellbeing Award, a new category sponsored by Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation, to Harvest the Fleurieu.

“Their commitment to enriching the working lives of their employees will no doubt be an inspiration to the broader industry.”

Top prize winner La Casa Del Formaggio was founded in 1988 and now employs more than 150 people.

Mumamoo’s Kristina Scutella, Belinda Humphries and Charlotte Chambers are three entrepreneurial Adelaide mums are taking on the $70 billion global infant formula industry. Picture: Tom Huntley

Rosa and Gerardo Cicchiello launched the business, converting their “humble continental style deli into a full-time cheesemaking operation” the company’s website says.

“Their tenacity and work ethic set the tone for La Casa Del Formaggio as a business, and their passion from the early days still resonates across the entire team today.’’

The company is still family-owned and makes a range of fresh Italian-style cheeses including bocconcini, burrata, mascarpone, mozzarella and ricotta which is sold to a range of retail, food service and industrial customers across Australia.

Eyrewoolf Abalone, which won the top prize for businesses with less than 15 full time equivalents, is a family company producing wild-caught abalone off the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula, as well as offering eco-tourism experiences.

Haigh’s technical and product manager Ben Kolly. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Business Excellence Award, sponsored by Visy

• La Casa Del Formaggio (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)

• Eyrewoolf Abalone (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)

Emerging Business Award, sponsored by the Department for Trade and Investment

• mumamoo

Export Award, sponsored by the Department for Trade and Investment

• Yumbah Aquaculture (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)

• KIN Premium Australian Seafood (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)

Innovation in Business Award, sponsored by the Department for Trade and Investment

• Spring Gully Foods (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)

• Ashton Valley Fresh (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)

Innovation in Food or Beverage Award, sponsored by Food Processing Equipment

• Clean Seas Seafood (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)

Mental Health and Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation

• Harvest the Fleurieu

New Product Award, sponsored by Foodland Supermarkets

• LifeStyle Bakery (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)

• Bowlsome (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)

Primary Producer Award, sponsored by Thomas Foods International

• Ceravolo Orchards (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)

• Eyrewoolf Abalone (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)

Sustainability Award, sponsored by Peats Soil & Garden Supplies

• La Casa Del Formaggio (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)

• feather&PECK (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)

Service Provider Award, sponsored by Mitani Group

• Complexica (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)

• Bright Engineering Consultants (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)

Individual Award categories:

Leader Award, sponsored by Bickford’s Group

• Kevin Webb – Spring Gully Foods

Next Generation Award, sponsored by Macro Group Australia

• Alex Fazzari – Enzo’s at Home

Industry nominated awards:

Education and Training Award, sponsored by the University of Adelaide

• La Casa Del Formaggio

Hall of Fame, sponsored by San Remo

• Mitani Group

Consumer Award:

Sponsored by Foodland Supermarkets

• Haigh’s Chocolates (for businesses with more than 15 FTEs)

• Mike’s Beef Jerky (for businesses with up to 15 FTEs)

Legends for Life

• Golden North Ice Cream

• Menz