Winners of Food South Australia’s 2025 South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards have been announced, celebrating excellence across the state’s largest manufacturing sector.
Presented at the Adelaide Convention Centre on 14 November, the ceremony aimed to embody its theme of “Shaping the Future: Honouring Legacy, Celebrating Excellence”. The awards are hosted by Food South Australia, with the support of the Government of South Australia through the Department of State Development.
Food South Australia CEO, Tori Dixon-Whittle, said: “These awards celebrate the people, products, and businesses that make South Australia’s food and beverage industry extraordinary – from proud family legacies to bold new ventures shaping the future.”
Top performers included Almondco Australia receiving the Business Excellence Award, alongside wins in the Sustainability and Export categories. Processed meat company, Slape & Sons, was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and Beerenberg and feather&PECK received the win for the Consumer Choice category.
Fourth generation owner and recently retired CEO of Haigh’s Chocolates, Alister Haigh, received the Leader Award, recognising his creativity, excellence and impactful leadership.
“This year we’ve celebrated our 110-year anniversary, appointed a new CEO, opened our new facility in Salisbury South, and opened our 22nd retail store, in Broadway Sydney. It’s been an exciting time for the business, and I am so proud to see the love for our chocolates continue to span all generations,” said Haigh.
“I am honoured to receive this award and recognition as I step away from being CEO and acknowledge the other outstanding nominees who are driving forces in the food and beverage industry.”
Haigh’s Chocolates was also recognised in the Education and Training category.
South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas said the industry drives jobs, supports communities, and showcases South Australia's finest produce to the world.
“Tonight's winners highlight the talent and dedication that make our state a global leader in food and beverage manufacturing,” said Malinauskas.
The full list of 2025 winners includes;
Open Business Award categories:
- Agritourism Award, sponsored by the South Australian Tourism Commission
Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co. - Business Improvement Award, sponsored by Visy
Cirelli Coffee Roasting Co. (businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Ceravolo Orchards (businesses with more than 15 FTEs) - EatDrink Local SA Award, sponsored by MBL
Raven Mead Hospitality – My Kingdom for a Horse and A Prayer for the Wild at Heart,
Adelaide (Metro Winner)
That’s Enrico, Lobethal (Regional Winner) - Education & Training Award, sponsored by Adelaide University
Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co. (businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Haigh’s Chocolates (businesses with more than 15 FTEs) - Emerging Business Award, sponsored by La Casa Del Formaggio
It’s Olio - Export Award, sponsored by the Department of State Development
Pure Origins (businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Almondco Australia (businesses with more than 15 FTEs) - Innovation Award, sponsored by The Yoghurt Shop
ManukaOz (businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Slape & Sons (businesses with more than 15 FTEs) - Mental Health and Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Breakthrough Mental Health
Research Foundation
Beerenberg Family Farm - New Product Award, sponsored by Foodland Supermarkets
Continental Taralli Biscuits – Tarallini Sundried Tomato & Basil (businesses with up to 15
FTEs)
Barossa Fine Foods – Delicatessen Smallgoods Range (businesses with more than 15
FTEs) - Primary Producer Award, sponsored by Thomas Foods International
Fischer Dairy - State Contribution Award, sponsored by Mitani Group
Ingham’s - Sustainability Award, sponsored by Peats Soil & Garden Supplies
Taronga Almonds (businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
Almondco Australia (businesses with more than 15 FTEs) - Service Provider Award, sponsored by OBH Print
South Australian Dairyfarmers’ Association (businesses with up to 15 FTEs)
MBL (businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
Individual Award categories:
- Leader Award, sponsored by Bickford’s Group
Alister Haigh, Haigh’s Chocolates - Next Generation Award, sponsored by Macro Group Australia
Phil Donnelly, Mayfair Bakery & Patisserie
Industry Nominated and Judges Award categories:
- Hall of Fame Award, sponsored by San Remo
Slape & Sons - Judges' Choice Award for Business Excellence, presented by Food South Australia
Almondco Australia - Consumer Choice Award, sponsored by Foodland Supermarkets
feather&PECK (businesses with less than 15 FTEs)
Beerenberg Family Farm (businesses with more than 15 FTEs)
