RobernMenz, Ashton Valley, Golden North, take out Premier’s food awards

Some of the state’s most treasured tastes were the winners in the Premier’s awards for foods and beverages. See all the winners here.

Robern Menz did not succeed in its quest to make FruChoc Appreciation Day a public holiday this year but the much-loved South Australian company can console itself with a big win at the South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards.

The company, which has also had great success recently with Violet Crumble bars, bought from Nestle in 2018, won the Business Excellence Award for companies with more than 15 staff.

Adelaide Hills juice company Ashton Valley Fresh won the award in the fewer than 15 staff category and also picked up an Innovation in Food and Beverage Award.

Food South Australia chief executive Catherine Sayer said it was the biggest year to date for the awards – held on Friday night – with entries up by 50 per cent on last year and a huge vote for the Consumer Award

mumamoo founders – and their kids – Kristina Scutella with Estelle 1, William, 4, and Eric, 6; Belinda Humphries with daughter Kit, 9, and Charlotte Chambers with sons George, 4, and Mack, 7, taking on the $70bn global infant formula industry. Picture: Tom Huntley

“The South Australian food and beverage industry is renowned for passion and persistence,’’ Ms Sayer said.

“The 2021 winners are examples of how this pays off for forward-focused businesses which are determined to ‘turn the page’ on the disruptions of the past 18 months.”

Golden North Ice Cream was crowned a “Consumer Award Legend”, after winning the popular vote for large businesses for the third time, while Continental Taralli Biscuits won the Consumer Award in the fewer than 15 staff category.

The winner of the new product award for small businesses was mumamoo, which was launched earlier this year by three Adelaide women – Kristina Scutella, Charlotte Chambers and Belinda Humphries – and which makes premium, Australian-made infant formula.

Vok Beverages picked up the gong in that category for large businesses, and kangaroo meat company Macro Group Australia was also inducted into the Hall of Fame.