The Melbourne Royal Food Awards are gearing back up for 2026, introducing several major category additions and returns. Entries are now open for leading food producers across Australia to benchmark their products against the nation’s best.
The Awards aim to inspire and celebrate excellence in food production, providing producers of all sizes – from boutique artisan makers to large-scale commercial operations – the opportunity to receive blind judging, industry recognition and valuable market credibility. Entries are blind tasted and assessed against strict technical and sensory criteria by an esteemed panel of Australia’s most respected food producers, chefs, retailers, food technologists, educators, writers and recipe developers.
This year sees the re-introduction of the Bread and Baked Goods and Olive Oils categories alongside the launch of a new Champion Chilli Preserve Trophy, and a Champion Australian Independent Cheesemaker Award. Developed through extensive industry consultation, exhibitor engagement and judge feedback, the expanded program aims to reflect the evolving priorities, innovation and craftsmanship shaping Australia's food industry today, following the successful reintroduction of the Awards in 2023 with Dairy and Preserves, and the return of Branded Meats and Value Add Meats in 2025.
Celebrating the quality and diversity emerging across Australia’s baking and olive oil sectors, the reintroduced categories will feature three Bread classes, three Baked Goods classes and two Olive Oil classes, culminating in the presentation of Champion Bread, Champion Baked Good and Champion Olive Oil trophies. Open exclusively to 100 per cent Australian products, the awards provide producers the opportunity to benchmark their products before an esteemed panel of expert judges.
Responding to the rapid growth of chilli-based products across the country, the awards have introduced a new Champion Chilli Preserve Trophy within the Preserves category. Previously judged under a single chilli class, the category has now expanded to include dedicated awards for Chilli Sauce, Chilli Oil and Other Chilli Preserve products, providing greater recognition for innovation and quality within the booming segment.
The awards will also debut the Champion Australian Independent Cheesemaker Award, celebrating the artistry, dedication and craftsmanship of Australia’s independent cheesemakers, spotlighting small-scale producers making an exceptional contribution to the category.
Melbourne Royal senior manager food and beverage awards, Kirrily Waldhorn, said the Awards continue to play an important role in recognising quality and supporting producers across the country.
“The Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards are about celebrating the producers shaping Australia’s food industry while also providing a trusted benchmarking platform that supports growth, innovation and excellence,” said Waldhorn.
“The return of Bread & Baked Goods and Olive Oil, alongside the introduction of the Champion Chilli Preserve Trophy, Apprentice Butcher Category and Champion Australian Independent Cheesemaker Award, we’re continuing to evolve the program in line with industry demand and emerging trends, providing even more opportunities for producers at every level of to showcase their craftsmanship and be recognised for the incredible quality and diversity of Australian food production.”
This year, judging will take place from 3-11 August, with a trophy announcement on 30 September. There are 29 Best in Class medals and Champion Product trophies up for grabs, as well as Champion Large, Champion Small and Champion Victorian Producer trophies across the Dairy, Preserves, Smallgoods, Meat, Olive Oil, Bread & Baked Goods categories.
Entries to the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards are now open, and close 26 June. Head to melbourneroyal.com.au for more information and to apply.
