Northern NSW food, drink producers impress in Sydney Royal Fine Food Show, Distilled Spirits Show awards
Northern NSW food and drink producers are cheering their success showcasing world-class offerings and nabbing prestigious awards in the state’s capital.
Regional News
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Northern NSW food and drink producers are cheering their success showcasing world-class offerings and nabbing prestigious awards in the state’s capital.
Nimbin’s Mountain Top Coffee Estate took home the Champion Coffee crown for its Nimbin Blend in the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show Awards – after winning best overall coffee in 2021 for its espresso.
Lord Byron Distillery claimed Champion Cane Spirit or Rum and Yamba Distilling Co secured the Champion Traditional Gin award in the inaugural Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show Awards.
Mountain Top Coffee Estate roaster and production manager Bernard Rooney said Nimbin was the centre of coffee growing in the north due to “very good growing conditions”.
“We get a lot of chocolatey, sweet results,” he said.
Mr Rooney said a Norwegian barista used Mountain Top’s coffee beans to win the coveted World Barista Championship in 2005.
“We were green-bean only when we started back in 1998, then Aussies picked up on coffee so now we’re focusing on roasting,” he said.
Mr Rooney said their was a distinct advantage to roasting his own beans and knowing how they will translate to a cup of coffee.
The winning Nimbin blend scored an “incredible” 91.3 out of 100 and Mr Rooney said the business was “very happy” with the stellar results – “it is good coffee”.
“As roasters, a score close to 90 is what you’re after, mid 90s is unheard of and 100 is impossible,” he said.
Chair of Judges at the Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Sho Stuart Gregor said the Yamba gin was “an “absolute belter” and a “world-class example”.
He admitted he “might have raised some eyebrows” if he was told beforehand a gin from the region would be category champion.
Gold medal winners late last month include Alstonville Quality Meats for its pastrami, Terrine of Pork, Duck, Fig and Pistachio Nuts and Duck Liver Pate with Madeira Jelly.
Byron Bay Jams was recognised with gold for its Old Maid Strawberry & Black Pepper Jam and The Lovers Raspberry Jam, while Mindful Foods, Murwillumbah shone with its Organic & Activated Teriyaki Munchies and Organic & Activated Pecans.
Alstonville Quality Meats also won silver for its Traditional Wood Smoked Bacon, Beef Jerky, and Smoked Chorizo, and bronze for its Boneless Leg Ham, Traditional Bone in Leg Ham, Boudin Noir, Cheesy Kransky and Chicken Liver Pate with Madeira Jelly.
Byron Bay Jams also took home bronze for its Gent Orange Ginger Marmalade.
Mindful Foods was awarded silver for its Organic and Activated Korean BBQ Munchies and Kombucha-activated Buckwheat, and bronze for its Organic and Activated Almonds, Organic and Activated Caramel Clusters with Native Wattleseed and Organic and Activated chocolate Clusters with Native Davidson Plum.
Byron Fermentary took home bronze awards for its Maca Miso and Fermented Mushrooms.
Artisans Soul at Mooball collected two silvers for its Tweed Real Food Wild Raspberry Splash Balsamic Vinegar and Tweed Real Food Classic Caramelised Splash Balsamic Vinegar.
The business also picked up three bronze medals for its Tweed Real Food Cheese Board Splash Balsamic Vinegar, Smokey Bacon Splash Balsamic Vinegar and Sticky Plum Splash Balsamic Vinegar.
Byron Bay Pork took home a silver for its pork boneless loin and Richmond Hill Pecans secured a bronze for its Pure Pecan Oil.
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