Fine food championships begin in Sydney

Fine food judges began the enviable task of sampling Australian delicacies at the Friday launch of the Summer Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.

Coffee, breads, cakes, pies and pasta exhibits will form mouth- watering competition line-ups from April 19 to 24 at Sydney Olympic Park.

Savoury and sweet-tooth favourites, including sourdough bread, gourmet pies, fresh pasta, chocolate mudcake, hot cross buns, Christmas pudding, eclairs and aromatic coffees will vie for gold, silver and bronze medals.

The winners will be able to advertise their medals on the packaging of their goods, making it easier for consumers to find the best products at the supermarket.

Among the panels of expert judges include representatives from food media, industry specialists, product retailers and chefs, invited to assess close to 800 entries this year across all classes.

"The Sydney Royal Fine Food Show has grown to become one of the most prestigious in the country, raising the benchmark in food produce quality," said Glenn Dudley, President of the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) of NSW.

"It is an exciting year for the Fine Food Show, with the introduction of a new class for Macarons in the Bread, Cake and Pie Competition, as well as decaffeinated coffee, cannelloni and lasagne in the Coffee and Pasta Competitions respectively," said Kim Currie, Chair of the RAS Fine Food Committee.

"Each year I am thrilled to see so many new exhibitors across the show," Currie added.

The Fine Food Competitions have been held in Sydney since 1995. Other divisions judged throughout the year include beer, aquaculture, beef, lamb and olive oil.