The return of Fine Food Australia to the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre was a vibrant display of the country’s food culture, taken in by more than 26,000 visitors over four days.
The event, the biggest of its kind in Australia, continues to attract a stellar showcase of exhibitors and products.
Ready to take on the world
For event director Minnie Constan, the show marked another year that proved Australia’s food industry is one of the biggest and brightest. “The international exhibitors are always exciting, but also our regional producers matched them with their innovation, flavours and products,” she says. “From healthy food trends, such as matcha and kombucha, to some of Australia’s locals proving their hand at pizza making and tea brewing with incredible results, the future of Australia’s food industry has never looked brighter. Fine Food Australia is proud to be not just the host, but also the platform boosting this sector to continue to be at the forefront of the global industry.”
Show firsts included the Devondale Cafe Stage and Roasters Lane – a dedicated area for all things coffee and tea – and the Footy Pie Competition, a new category within the Official Great Aussie Pie Competition. Tapping into the biggest sporting events of the year, the Footy Pie Competition put team allegiances to the test as entrants put their best beef mince pie and team colours up for judging.
International trends were on display in the Flavours of the World area, which dazzled with some of the newest food and innovations from around the globe.
A European Union delegation hosted a seminar on how Australian producers of agricultural and food products could benefit from a system of geographical indications (GIs). Opened by minister for small business, innovation and trade, Philip Dalidakis, visitors learned how GIs are a powerful tool for rural development and increasing economic activity.
A strong presence from FCSI Australia saw the team taking part in the Ask the Experts Advisory Centre, sharing wisdom on fit-out and design to help maximising space. Consultant Stephen Kelly FCSI also spoke about the same topic at the MYOB Talking Food Stage.
Seminars and big business
More than AUS$100m of business took place on the show floor, along with over 80 educational sessions with leading chefs, industry experts and leaders.
Fine Food Australia hosted a cocktail function, providing an opportunity for industry members to network over drinks as they discussed business, products and innovation. The function also held the announcement of the Best New Product Award winners for 2016, the annual recognition of the best products to enter the industry in the past 12 months.
Next year’s Fine Food Australia will take place in Sydney at the newly built International Convention Centre Darling Harbour. With a sparkling new venue, it will be another show of opportunities to build relationships, drive businesses and be inspired about the industry.
