A South Australian dairy producer has been recognised among the country’s finest food makers, taking home a national title at the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards.
Tweedvale Dairies has been awarded Champion Cream for its Milk Pure Pouring Cream, flying the flag for South Australia among a field of producers from across the country.
The Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards recognise standout products and producers across dairy, preserves, smallgoods, meat, olive oil, bread and baked goods, with this year’s winners announced at a trophy presentation at Melbourne Showgrounds. Entries were assessed by a panel of industry specialists against standards including quality, flavour and craftsmanship. The dairy judging was led by respected dairy specialist Mark Livermore, while other categories brought together experts from across Australia’s food industry.
Tweedvale’s winning Milk Pure Pouring Cream was one of nine major dairy champions recognised nationally.
Other winners included Victorian producer Del Bocia, which was named Champion Australian Small Dairy Producer and also took Champion Butter for its Truffle Butter, while St David Dairy was named Champion Australian Large Dairy Producer and claimed Champion Milk for its Premium Full Cream Milk.
Tasmania’s Canopy Foods won Champion Ice Cream for its Salted Walnut Ice Cream, while Capriole from Victoria’s Main Ridge Dairy was named Champion Cheese.
Melbourne Royal Senior Manager of Food & Beverage Awards Kirrily Waldhorn said this year’s champions reflected the strength of Australia’s food industry.
“This year’s trophy winners and champions represent the extraordinary depth of talent and exceptional produce being created across the country,” she said.
The awards also marked the return of olive oil and bread and baked goods categories, alongside new trophies recognising apprentice butchers and independent cheesemakers.
Across the broader awards, Victoria’s Piece of Cake Bakery was named Champion Australian Bakery, Backhaus Bakery won Champion Bread for its 7 Fruit Sourdough and Punchbowl Hill Estate claimed Champion Olive Oil for its Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Full list of champions
Dairy
- Champion Australian Small Dairy Producer: Del Bocia, Victoria
- Champion Australian Large Dairy Producer: St David Dairy, Victoria
- Champion Victorian Dairy Producer: St David Dairy, Victoria
- Champion Australian Independent Cheesemaker: Daniel Hales, Prom Country Cheese, Victoria
- Champion Butter: Truffle Butter, Del Bocia, Victoria
- Champion Cheese: Capriole, Main Ridge Dairy, Victoria
- Champion Cream: Milk Pure Pouring Cream, Tweedvale Dairies, South Australia
- Champion Milk: Premium Full Cream Milk, St David Dairy, Victoria
- Champion Ice Cream: Salted Walnut Ice Cream, Canopy Foods, Tasmania
Preserves
- Champion Australian Small Preserves Producer: Noosa Black Garlic, Queensland
- Champion Australian Large Preserves Producer: Last St, Victoria
- Champion Victorian Preserves Producer: Pennyroyal Farm Otway Preserves, Victoria
- Champion Savoury Preserve: Caramelized Black Garlic Paste, Noosa Black Garlic, Queensland
- Champion Sweet Preserve: Black Garlic Honey, Noosa Black Garlic, Queensland
- Champion Chilli Preserve: Signature Chilli Oil, Sim Sim Food Studio, Victoria
Smallgoods & Meat
- Champion Australian Small Smallgoods Producer: Uncles Smallgoods, Victoria
- Champion Australian Large Smallgoods Producer: Griffin Morris Village Butchers, Victoria
- Champion Victorian Smallgoods Producer: Griffin Morris Village Butchers, Victoria
- Champion Smallgoods: Tajima Wagyu Bresaola, Andrews Meat Industries, NSW
- Champion Australian Small Meat Producer: Ashburton Meats, Victoria
- Champion Australian Large Meat Producer: Stockyard Beef, Queensland
- Champion Victorian Meat Producer: Ashburton Meats, Victoria
- Champion Branded Meat: Black Opal, Harmony Agriculture & Food Co., Victoria
- Champion Value Add Meat: Satay Chicken, Pyrenees Premium Cuts, Victoria
Olive Oil
- Champion Australian Olive Oil Producer: Fedra Olive Grove, ACT
- Champion Olive Oil: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Punchbowl Hill Estate, Victoria
Bread & Baked Goods
- Champion Australian Bakery: Piece of Cake Bakery, Victoria
- Champion Bread: 7 Fruit Sourdough, Backhaus Bakery, Victoria
- Champion Baked Good: Lamb Stroganoff and Mushroom Pie, The Butcher Club – Williamstown, Victoria
- Champion Victorian Bakery: Piece of Cake Bakery, Victoria
Apprentice Butchery
- Excellence in Apprentice Butchery Trophy: Harry Owen, The Meat Inn Place, Victoria
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