Fine Food Australia has wrapped its 2026 edition with over 18,000 visitors passing through the doors of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre over four days to learn, connect and do business with more than 900 exhibitors and industry leaders.
The show reaffirmed its position as the largest food and hospitality trade event in the Southern Hemisphere.
Running from Monday 31 August to Thursday 3 September, the event gave industry visitors the chance to engage with almost every facet of foodservice, hospitality and retail – from bakery, beverages, meat, seafood and dairy through to catering equipment and hospitality technology.
Fine Food Australia 2026, by the numbers:
- 18,000+ visitors
- 900+ exhibitors across the MCEC, including brands from over 30 countries
- 70 presentations across four stages
- 43 speakers
- 4 major competitions
- 1821 pies judged
- 6 bespoke gelato flavours from 6 national finalists
- Countless conversations and networking opportunities
Special Awards
This year's program also crowned new winners across all four major competitions, along with some special awards:
- Australian Gelato Cup, Australia’s first winners: May Quah and Apple Robles, Oh My Gelato!, VIC
- The Official Great Aussie Pie Grand Champion: Orange Spot Bakery, SA
- 2026 Nestlé Golden Chef of the Year: Chef Ashleigh Handsaker, NSW
- Bake Skills Australia Apprentice Baker of the Year: Stavriana Taliadorors, Sunraysia Bread and Butter, VIC
- Bake Skills Australia Pastry Apprentice: Sophie Wedding, Brighton Best Bake House, TAS
- Innovation Award: GRILL X, an autonomous AI-powered grilling system developed by Seoul-based physical AI foodtech company Beyond Honeycomb. GRILL X addresses the challenges of staffing the grill and achieving consistent results. Its proprietary multispectral sensing and artificial intelligence read food as it cooks, allowing it to respond to its cooking state in real-time.
“Melbourne always brings a special energy to the event,” said Sinead Kavanagh, event director of Fine Food Australia.
“From tech innovation to new products from our official Country Partner, the US, and around the world, and connecting with industry leaders. The show was a true representation of what is impacting the industry at the moment.”
Fine Food Australia is Australia's leading trade-only event for the foodservice, hospitality and retail industries, connecting professionals with the latest in food innovation, equipment and ideas.
Alternating annually between Melbourne and Sydney, the show brings together local and international suppliers, manufacturers, buyers and decision-makers to shape the future of Australia's food industry.
