Last night the country’s best new food and retail products were celebrated at an exciting cocktail function at the Showtime Events Centre, Melbourne. The Best New Product Awards is an annual event that recognises the most outstanding products to have launched in the food industry in the last twelve months. It’s about celebrating the innovations that have resulted in sophisticated products and solutions for the industry.

2016 saw a large number of entries in each of its four categories: Retail, Hospitality Equipment, Bakery and Foodservice. From hospitality ticket systems, handcrafted chai and gold truffle mustard to tahini wasabi, golden turmeric elixir and donut fryers – there was certainly a vast and varied list of products to choose from, with entrants from all over the world.

Fine Food Australia 2016 is the largest food trade show in the country and is a non-negotiable date on the calendar for anyone in the country’s burgeoning foodservice industry. As the most relevant food and hospitality event, Fine Food Australia brings the best of the industry together in one place, providing an unmatched opportunity to network and do business.

Event Director Minnie Constan hosted the ceremony and remarked, “2016 proved to be an exciting year for our industry – there’s been many interesting trends, interest in foods and industry innovations that have seen so much evolve. As an industry, we constantly need to keep up with consumer demands. The Best New Product Awards have demonstrated that we aren’t just keeping up, but we’re doing it exceptionally well with businesses creating some incredibly innovative products. These awards are both for recognition and for celebrating everything that is great about the business we are in.”

Winners of the 2016 Best New Product Awards are:

Best New Foodservice Product Awards

Presented by Open House Magazine

Winner: Tea & Spice Handcrafted Chai by Tea & Spice
Finalist: Dim Sum & Co by Land of Plenty Food Co
Finalist: Avovita Avocado Chocolate Mousse by Fresh Produce Alliance

Best New Bakery Product Awards

Presented by Baking Business

Winner: Otentic Durum by Puratos Australia-New Zealand
Finalist: QBO Universal Processing System by Van Rooy Machinery
Finalist: Coloured Baking Moulds by Confoil

Best New Retail Awards

Presented by Retail World

Winner: Bickford and Sons Sparkling Range by Bickfords Australia
Finalist: Casalare Gluten Free Range by Spiral Foods (NSW)
Finalist: Gelista Premium Icecream and Gelati 570ml tub by Eurostore

Best New Hospitality Equipment Product Awards

Presented by Foodservice Consultant Society International

Winner: Winterhalter UC Excellence i by Winterhalter
Finalist: AUS-ION™ ‘Satin’ by Solidteknics
Finalist: Frix Air by Sammic Australia