Three innovative Fleurieu businesses were among the winners at the 2020 South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards.

McLaren Vale’s Never Never Distilling Co, Mount Jagged’s Alexandrina Cheese and the south coast’s Goolwa PipiCo were announced as winners at a gala dinner on 13 November.

Never Never Distilling Co took out the Emerging Business award in recognition of its multi award-winning gin varieties, including Australia’s very first Grenache gin.

Goolwa PipiCo’s Whole Clam Chowder won a New Product award, and the business also took out the Business Excellence Award for businesses with up to 15 staff.

Perennial favourite Alexandrina Cheese won the Consumer award, voted by the public.

“When we launched the 2020 South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards, we already knew this year’s theme of Sharing our Stories was very appropriate,” says Food South Australia CEO Catherine Sayer. 

“As everyone has been saying all year, none of us expected what 2020 has served to us, so it has been especially inspiring to learn the stories behind the winning businesses in this year’s awards. 

“The challenges of 2020 aren’t the first obstacles many of our winners have overcome, but in this new COVID-normal world, the grit and resilience of an industry that is so important to South Australia’s economic wellbeing is being celebrated tonight.” 

Interest in the awards program and in South Australian products has continued to grow this year, with a 15 per cent increase in entries and over 11,000 consumers voting for their favourite business for the Consumer Award. 

“The South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards program has showcased innovation and excellence in our industry for more than 20 years,” Ms Sayer says.

“These are the businesses that have helped drive growth for the sector, created brands known across Australia and internationally, and helped build our state’s reputation for premium products across the globe.