Regional growers win big at Perth Royal Food Awards

Regional WA producers shone at this year’s 2020 Perth Royal Food Awards, taking out a suite of championship titles. From Esperance and the Great Southern to the Wheatbelt and further north, growers from across WA were well represented in several of the competition’s categories. Originally scheduled for May, the annual Royal Agricultural Society of WA event was postponed this year due to COVID-19, with the ceremony held on Friday. Products were judged across seven categories — branded meat (beef, lamb, poultry and pork), bread and pastry, wine, distilled spirits, beer, smallgoods and pantry. It was a big moment for Cunderdin lamb growers Tim and Steph Stevenson, who entered their Parron Lamb for the first time and came out the championship winners. The pair, who also run flocks in Kojonup and Badgingarra, have a history in sheep genetics and breeding rams, and decided to brand their dorper lambs about 12 months ago. “To come away with the win was pretty cool really,” Mr Stevenson said. He said they practised low-stress stock handling techniques, delivered the lambs themselves, were non-mulesing and supplemented pastures with trace elements. Event co-ordinators said the Esperance region stood out this year, with Pink Lake Butchers, Esperance Berkshire Pork and Lucky Bay Brewing all winning big. “It’s really remarkable — there’s something in the water down there. Overall regional producers, particularly in this climate with COVID19 and being very busy, have done exceptionally well.” Pink Lake Butchers came home with a gold for their Pancetta (Whole), Pancetta (Sliced) and Coppa (Whole), which owner Kaaron Mitchell was still pinching herself about. “I’m pretty damn chuffed,” she said. Sourcing her pork from local producers Josh and Emma Lay of Esperance Berkshire Pork, which were supplied by breeder Linton Batt of Black Label Berkshire — which took out two championship titles — Mrs Mitchell credited their teamwork and a passion for quality produce for the wins. “It’s amazing to be part of a great team and obviously berkshires are great tasting pork,” Mrs Mitchell said. In the bread and pastries corner, Toodyay Bakery’s crowd favourite African Lamb Berbere pie got the gold. “It felt great to get the win... it’s a popular pie,” co-owner Cassie Marion, who runs the bakery with her husband Jason, said. She said making sure the pastry and seasoning were right, the filling was stable and the quality of the meat was good were important in producing the trophy-winning pie.