Somewhere in Adelaide this spring, a baker is checking the oven on a gluten-free cheesecake made with Beerenberg ingredients, and a smokehouse is curing wild salmon for supermarket shelves. Both are finalists in this year’s South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards. As the shortlist shows, they’re in good company.
Announced by Food South Australia, the 2026 finalists span 17 categories, from export and innovation to sustainability and leadership. Familiar names sit alongside newcomers, and family businesses share the list with major processors. Together they make a strong case for South Australia as one of the country’s great food states.
The names to watch
Mayfair Bakery and Patisserie has had a remarkable year. The bakery is a finalist in four categories (EatDrink Local SA, Export, Innovation and New Product), and its Phil Donnelly is up for the Leader Award.
Harris Smokehouse is close behind with four nominations, including New Product for its Everyday Wild Smoked Salmon, plus Innovation, Sustainability and Produce of the Year.
Tucker’s Natural features three times. The cracker maker is up for Business Improvement and New Product, and Sam Tucker is a Leader Award finalist. Skara Smallgoods is also a triple finalist: in the new Marketing Impact category, in the Consumer Choice top 20, and through Joseph Skara in the Next Generation Award.
New flavours on the shelf
The New Product Award is a good shopping list in itself. KIN Seafood has created a pantry range built around southern bluefin tuna. La Casa Del Formaggio is in the running with mozzarella string sticks, and Little Eaters with an artisan pasta range. MBL has entered a new range of Butcher’s Banquet sauces.
From paddock to plate
Primary producers are well represented. Dinko Tuna Farmers, Gumshire Pork, Endersby Group and the honey makers at Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co. are among the Primary Producer finalists. In Produce of the Year, Maggie Beer Products, Fleurieu Milk Company, Golden North and The Yoghurt Shop compete for one of the night’s most coveted titles.
The EatDrink Local SA Award looks at where you eat and drink. Its finalists range from the Coopers Brewery Visitor Centre and Prancing Pony Brewery to Bollywood Bites and the Overland Corner Hotel on the Murray.
The people’s choice
The Foodland Consumer Choice Award is decided by public vote, and the top 20 reads like a well-stocked South Australian fridge. Haigh’s Chocolates, Nippy’s, Kytons Bakery, Rohde Egg Co., Tweedvale Dairy and Vili’s Family Bakery all made the list, alongside Maggie Beer Products and Ashton Valley Fresh.
Raise a glass
Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala Dinner on Friday 13 November at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Hall of Fame and Business Excellence Award recipients will also be named on the night.
Until then, consider this your shopping list. The best way to support the finalists is the simplest: put them in your trolley.
See the full list of finalists at safoodbevawards.com.au
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