Images: Frankie the Creative. Pictured above: Almondco Australia
South Australia’s very best food and beverage leaders were in the spotlight last week as the 2025 Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards took over the Adelaide Convention Centre. Among them were familiar favourites and brands that the public know and love, but it really was the unique, unexpected and quietly trailblazing winners who stole the show.
With more than 25 years of history behind it, the awards have spent more than two decades celebrating the businesses that feed the state, fuel its exports and shape its global identity. This year’s theme, ‘Shaping the Future: Honouring Legacy, Celebrating Excellence’, was particularly fitting as a mix of industry icons, next-gen innovators, and niche producers claimed the night’s biggest applause.
Food South Australia CEO Tori Dixon-Whittle shared, “These awards celebrate the people, products, and businesses that make South Australia’s food and beverage industry extraordinary — from proud family legacies to bold new ventures shaping the future.”
Almondco Australia stepped away proudly after sweeping the room, taking home the prestigious Business Excellence Award, and wins in the Sustainability and Export categories. Their win showcases the innovation, dedication, and quality that define South Australia’s food and beverage industry.
Some of the evening’s most interesting stories came from the smaller players making big moves. ManukaOz, a business with fewer than 15 employees, scored the Innovation Award for its cutting-edge approach to one of Australia’s most coveted natural ingredients, honey. Continental Taralli Biscuits also turned heads with their New Product win for their Tarallini Sundried Tomato & Basil.
The more than half a century old Slape & Sons were inducted into the Hall of Fame, recognising their sustained excellence, industry commitment, and lasting contribution to the sector. Their win in the Innovation category strengthened the narrative.
Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co. also made an impression, taking out the Agritourism Award and the Education & Training Award (small business category), showcasing how a small island producer can become a leader in sustainability, tourism and industry learning.
The Consumer Choice Awards always reveal the soft spots South Australians have. This year’s results saw a heartwarming win for family-run icon Beerenberg, which took out the large business title. They were joined by boutique free-range egg producer feather&PECK, who claimed the small business crown.
Recognition of individual excellence saw Haigh’s Chocolates’ Alister Haigh receive the Leader Award for his decades of industry stewardship, while Phil Donnelly of Mayfair Bakery & Patisserie was named the Next Generation Award winner.
South Australian Premier, Hon Peter Malinauskas MP shared, “This industry drives jobs, supports communities, and showcases South Australia’s finest produce to the world. Tonight’s winners highlight the talent and dedication that make our state a global leader in food and beverage manufacturing.”
This year’s Premier’s Awards showcased the diversity, resilience and creativity that make South Australia’s food and beverage community one of the most exciting in the country. See the full list of winners below!
2025 Winners
Open Business Award categories
Agritourism Award, sponsored by the South Australian Tourism Commission
Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co.
Business Improvement Award, sponsored by Visy
Cirelli Coffee Roasting Co. (businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Ceravolo Orchards (businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
EatDrink Local SA Award, sponsored by MBL
Raven Mead Hospitality – My Kingdom for a Horse and A Prayer for the Wild at Heart,
Adelaide (Metro Winner)
That’s Enrico, Lobethal (Regional Winner)
Education & Training Award, sponsored by Adelaide University
Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co. (businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Haigh’s Chocolates (businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
Emerging Business Award, sponsored by La Casa Del Formaggio
It’s Olio
Export Award, sponsored by the Department of State Development
Pure Origins (businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Almondco Australia (businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
Innovation Award, sponsored by The Yoghurt Shop
ManukaOz (businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Slape & Sons (businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
Mental Health and Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation
Beerenberg Family Farm
New Product Award, sponsored by Foodland Supermarkets
Continental Taralli Biscuits – Tarallini Sundried Tomato & Basil (businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Barossa Fine Foods – Delicatessen Smallgoods Range (businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
Primary Producer Award, sponsored by Thomas Foods International
Fischer Dairy
State Contribution Award, sponsored by Mitani Group
Ingham’s
Sustainability Award, sponsored by Peats Soil & Garden Supplies
Taronga Almonds (businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Almondco Australia (businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
Service Provider Award, sponsored by OBH Print
South Australian Dairyfarmers’ Association (businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
MBL (businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
Individual Award categories
Leader Award, sponsored by Bickford’s Group
Alister Haigh, Haigh’s Chocolates
Next Generation Award, sponsored by Macro Group Australia
Phil Donnelly, Mayfair Bakery & Patisserie
Industry Nominated and Judges Award categories
Hall of Fame Award, sponsored by San Remo
Slape & Sons
Judges’ Choice Award for Business Excellence, presented by Food South Australia
Almondco Australia
Publicly Voted Award
Consumer Choice Award, sponsored by Foodland Supermarkets
feather&PECK (businesses with less than 15 FTEs)
Beerenberg Family Farm (businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
For more information, click here.
More News
