Australian Grand Dairy Awards 2023: Queensland producers win top gongs

Queensland dairy producers have taken out a swag of honours at Australia’s major dairy awards.

Queensland producers Woombye Cheese Company and Milani Minus Eight Degrees have taken out the dual top prizes at the 2023 Australian Grand Dairy Awards.

The Sunshine Coast-based Woombye clinched the Grand Champion Cheese title while Brisbane-based Milani took out the Grand Champion Dairy prize for its ice cream.

Entries spanned 320 products from various manufacturers across 18 classes including milks,

yoghurts, ice creams, butter, cream, and an array of cheeses.

Head cheesemaker at Woombye Cheese Company Stefan Wilson. Photo: John McCutcheon

Woombye Cheese Company producer Beth O’Leary said winning the nation’s top cheese award for its Blackall Gold Washed Rind was a big moment for her business.

“We are proud of all the cheeses we produce, and to have been awarded the Grand Champion

Cheese title is the cherry on top,” she said.

“We have an amazing team behind us, and we are thrilled to be taking this achievement home to those who have been a part of its success.”

Milani Minus Eight Degrees founder Yue Lin said winning the top non-cheese category for its ice cream was a thrill for the suburban Brisbane enterprise.

“Our crème brulée gelato is one of our most popular flavours – we know it’s a winner every time,” he said.

“But to be recognised nationally and receive this prestigious award is an honour.”

Victorian producers won four of the 18 categories announced at Thursday night’s presentation ceremony.

Berrys Creek Cheese owners Barry Charlton and Cheryl Hulls in their cheese storage room with their winning Oak Blue Cheese from the 2020 Grand Dairy Awards. Photo: DANNIKA BONSER

South Gippsland-based Berrys Creek took out two of the four Victorian honours: Best Blue Cheese for its Oak Blue and Best Goat/Sheep/Buffalo Cheese for its Riverine Blue.

Melbourne-based St David Dairy won the Best Modified Milk category while frequent champion Floridia Cheese took out the Fresh Unripened Cheese for its burrata.

Grand Dairy Awards chief judge Russell Smith said the Thursday night ceremony highlighted

the innovative ways that domestic processors were taking on the world’s best in dairy.

“Australia has some incredible dairy producers, and we know Australians care about the provenance of their food more than ever,” he said.