Pictured: Kris Lloyd, Woodside Cheese Wrights
The 2025 delicious. Harvey Norman Produce Awards National Finalists have just been revealed, and South Australia is proudly home to a standout list of contenders. Amongst the list are some hidden gems producing some outstanding foods. From award-winning cheese to sustainably sourced seafood and standout small producers, these local names are in the running for one of Australia’s most respected food honours.
Now in its 20th year, these awards continue to celebrate top-quality, great-tasting produce and the producers’ commitment to sustainability, provenance, species diversity, and community impact. Last month, some of Australia’s leading chefs gathered in top restaurants around the country to judge the best of the best at the state level. The 2025 State Judges had the tough task of narrowing down the field to this year’s National Finalists.
Now, a list of outstanding producers from around the country will go before the National Judging Panel later this month. Keep an eye on these South Aussies doing the state proud.
In the From the Dairy category, Lilyarra Artisan Cheeses and Woodside Cheese Wrights were both selected as finalists. Lilyarra Artisan Cheeses is based on the Fleurieu and specialises in handmade goat’s cheese. These guys are well awarded, and bring cheesemaking techniques that have been learned all over the world, to SA. Joining them were Adelaide Hills locals, Woodside Cheese Wrights. Woodside Cheese Wrights are favourites in the region and are known for their wide range of buffalo, goat, and cow’s milk cheese.
“It’s a great honour to be recognised among Australia’s great producers. We’re incredibly proud to be a part of a community that celebrates quality and sustainability, which I think is the ethos behind these great awards,” shared Kris, the owner and head cheesemaker at Woodside Cheese Wrights.
In the From the Earth category, Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co. and Singing Magpie Produce both made the finals. Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co. was founded in 2001 as one of the first organic honey producers in SA. In the almost 25 years since, they’ve gone on to make honey and products that are high quality and certified organic. Singing Magpie Produce is an over 100-year-old family orchard producing delicious, premium sun-dried fruit and gourmet goodies. Owned by the Heward family, these guys care about our ecological footprint and focus on using low-impact farming methods.
“It’s so exciting to be a finalist! The awards shine a light on the great South Australian producers, we’re thrilled to be involved,” shared Sue from Singing Magpie Produce.
“Our orchard is 103 years old, so we’ve been growing figs and quinces for a very long time. We’re so proud that our small family farm and our focus on quality and doing what we do at the highest level are being celebrated.”
From the Paddock, Nomad Farms and The Dairyman Barossa are also among the finalists. Nomad Farms are based in the Fleurieu Peninsula and produce a range of pasture-raised produce and botanically dyed fibre. The Dairyman Barossa make butter, cream, pork, bacon, ham and veal, which all come from their pasture-raised animals that are treated with the utmost respect.
“The fact that it’s judged by very highly regarded chefs from around Australia is very satisfying. We have a focus on creating a high-quality product without having a huge impact on the environment, so to celebrate that is great,” shared Michael from The Dairyman Barossa.
Finally, in the From the Sea category, Australian Razorfish and JK EcoFish have made it to the finals. JK EcoFish was founded by marine-scale commercial fisherman Johnny Kouvaris, who has a keen focus on sustainably caught and processed seafood.
South Australia’s food producers are proving that passion, provenance, and quality go hand in hand, cementing their place on the national stage. The winners will be announced later this year, at an exclusive ticketed event in Sydney.
More details will be revealed in the coming weeks. To follow along, click here.
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