Article courtesy of Pakenham Gazette.
The nation’s very best dairy products were recognized at the 2024 Australian Grand Dairy Awards, held at the Melbourne Showgrounds recently. Hosted by Dairy Australia and the Royal Agricultural Societies, the annual awards recognise excellence, quality, and innovation, attracting entries from producers Australia-wide.
The Awards saw the nation’s dairy community come together to celebrate the best of the best Australian dairy. Two producers from Western Australia claimed the Grand Champion titles, with Dellendale Creamery being crowned the Grand Champion Cheese title for their Churchill Rd Raclette and Bannister Downs Dairy taking home the Grand Champion Dairy Product for their Double Cream.
The 2024 winning Champions demonstrated the breadth of Australian dairy, spanning from traditional cheeses to native and international flavors. Among the Champions, included products such as khajoor (date) flavoured milk, masala lasso, Japanese-inspired yuzu custard gelato, and native Tasmanian pepperberry and leather-wood honey ice cream.
International Cheese Judge, Jill Allen, part of the panel of expert judges this year, praised this year’s entrants for their remarkable display of craftsmanship and superior standards of Australian dairy production.
“This year we saw a wealth of products, all exceptional in high quality, everything spanning from beautiful yoghurts, wonderful milks and amazing cheddars,” Ms Allen said.
“This year, I’ve seen a lot of flavours that I haven’t encountered before, especially from my past judging in the US, which speak to the characteristics and diversity of Australian dairy.
“To have this accolade bestowed on a product is a nod to the quality and standard of a producer. Australian consumers can feel confident knowing that when they purchase a product with a blue and gold medal, that they’ll be experiencing the very best of Australian dairy.”
After founding Dellendale Creamery in 2010, Grand Champion Cheese winner Chris Vogel could not have anticipated how the challenges and rewards of cheesemaking would lead to such prestigious recognition years later.
“This prestigious recognition reflects the knowledge we’ve built over 15 years and our small team’s passion and endeavour in hand-crafting, washing and tending to every wheel of cheese in our cellar. We’ve always believed in the quality and tradition behind our cheeses, and this award is a testament to that commitment,” Mr Vogel said.
Grand Champion Dairy Product winners, Mat and Sue Daubney from Bannister Downs Dairy Farm have carried their family’s dairy legacy for the past 20 years.
“Being recognised as the Grand Champion is a true honour, and it reflects the generations of hard work and dedication that have shaped our farm, and the wonderfully abundant area we are so fortunate to farm in” Mr Daubney said.
“We’ve seen the industry change, grow, and innovate each year, and we’re excited to be championing our family traditions, all while also embracing innovation to produce the highest quality dairy for our community and beyond.”
Each winner exemplified excellence in their respective categories, including milk, cheese, yoghurt, and ice cream, demonstrating outstanding quality and craftsmanship. These titles represent the pinnacle of achievement in the dairy industry, highlighting the immense dedication and skill behind each product.
Dairy Australia head of marketing Glenys Zucco said the Awards represent more than just an annual celebration but are also a testament to Australia’s unique and longstanding history with dairy.
“Dairy Australia and the Royal Agricultural Societies are thrilled to celebrate the extraordinary array of talented and dedicated dairy professionals who contribute significantly to the nation’s vibrant food culture,” Ms Zucco said.
“This year’s entrants into the Australian Grand Dairy Awards showcased a diverse range of flavours and aromas from every state in Australia.
“We are impressed by each of these individuals who not only uphold the tradition of high quality Australian dairy, but also continuously push boundaries and ideas that resonate both locally and internationally.”
The Awards featured 406 entries across 22 categories, with each product evaluated on its flavour, aroma, texture, body and appearance. For products to be eligible to enter the Australian Grand Dairy awards, the product must be produced in Australia with 100% Australian milk and have won gold at a state qualifying competition. Products must also be available to be purchased by consumers in Australian retail markets.
This year saw new award categories being introduced, including Novelty Ice Cream, Fresh Curd Stretched Cheese, and Other Goat, Sheep, Buffalo, and Camel Milk products.
All Champion products were meticulously reviewed, subjected to a rigorous blind judging process, and selected by a distinguished panel of judges composed of international and Australian dairy experts to ensure that only the most exceptional dairy goods were crowned.
Australian can get a taste of the indulgent goods produced by the nation’s dairy champions by looking for the blue and gold medal on the packaging.
For more information visit www.dairy.com.au/agda.
