Territory food traders eligble for 2014 Brolga Tourism Awards

THE Territory’s tastiest tucker traders will be recognised in a brand new category at the 2014 Brolga Awards.

Carmel Bell, from the Darwin Fish Market, with some of the treats that could earn them a gong in the new food tourism section of the Brolga's.

THE Territory’s tastiest tucker traders will be recognised in a brand new category at the 2014 Brolga Awards.

Minister for Tourism Matt Conlan announced yesterday that Excellence in Food Tourism would be a category at the Northern Territory’s premier tourism industry awards this year.

Carmel Ball from Darwin Fish Market is excited that there is finally a category they could enter.

“It’s something we’ve looked at a few times but there was no category for us,” she said.

“Like others in the NT, we’ve promoted the industry but none of us could go for a Brolga.”

Darwin Fish Market boasts a variety of products with 98 per cent sourced from the Northern Territory.

When tourists visit Darwin looking for a real Territory food experience, they make sure to stop by the market to pick up some of their unique wares.

“If they can cook themselves, they’ll come in and get some fish or crocodile,” Ms Ball said.

“We make our own smoked barra, our own barra and crocodile dip - there’s a whole array of stuff we do outside the scope of that.”

Mr Conlan said the Territory is home to amazing produce and food experiences so it will be fantastic to see the entries in the new category.

Each business category winner in 2014 will receive a $10,000 marketing package from Tourism NT, which includes website, social media, trade and advertising exposure.

The Brolga Awards gala event will be held at the Darwin Turf Club on November 15.

Winners will represent the Territory at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in April 2015 in Adelaide.

To enter or for more information on the Brolga Awards, visit www.brolgaawards.com.au.

Nominations are now open.