Pork takes the cake at produce awards

Reported by Jennifer Ennion
Monday, July 16, 2012

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A South Australian farm producing one of the oldest recognised breeds of pig in the world has won top honour at the 2012 Delicious Produce Awards.

SchuAm Berkshire Pork was announced Producer of the Year at the awards' dinner at The Stokehouse in Brisbane on Monday night.

A few expletives slipped from the mouths of winners Damien Amery and Daniel Schuster when their company was named by host Matt Preston. Afterwards they said they were rapt and "totally shocked" to win.

"We've seen the quality of produce that's been awarded in the past and to be counted in that with those producers is a massive thrill," Amery told AAP.

"It's pretty overwhelming," added Schuster.

In describing their product, Amery said: "It tastes like pork should taste.

"Berkshire is a heritage breed - the fat, the flavour, the marbling hasn't been completely bred out of the product so in the words of a chef friend of mine 'it takes you back to the pork of your childhood'."

The delicious. Produce Awards, which began in 2005, aim to showcase Australian producers, build awareness of culinary regions and recognise fresh, seasonal food.

There were close to 2000 nominations this year across the 12 categories and winners were chosen by a judging panel that included Matt Moran from ARIA Restaurant in NSW and Qld and celebrated cook Maggie Beer.

There are four main categories - earth, dairy, paddock and sea - and within each of those is a primary producer and artisan winner.

SchuAm Berkshire Pork also won the paddock category, alongside Victoria's Pure Pie.

Other winners included Tathra Oysters (NSW) and The Stock Merchant (NSW) in From the Sea; Barambah Organics (Qld) and The Cedar Street Cheeserie (Qld) in From the Dairy; and Otway Forest Shiitake Mushrooms (Vic) and Sweetness the Patisserie (NSW) in From the Earth.

Victorian-based Annie Smithers was recognised for Outstanding Use of Regional Produce by a Chef, while John Susman from NSW was named Outstanding Provedore.

On announcing the winners, Preston summed up the event: "These are the awards that recognise why Australia's one of the best places to eat."

*The full list of winners is in the August issue of delicious. magazine.

20/06/2013 06:36Sydney, Australia. 20 June,2013
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