Australia’s food producers are being invited to enter the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards (AFA). With a history dating back to 1874, this year’s awards have a range of new and returning categories across beer, wine, spirits and food.
The Bread and Baked Goods and Olive Oils categories have been reintroduced. These categories will feature three bread classes, three baked goods classes and two olive oil classes, culminating in the presentation of Champion Bread, Champion Baked Good and Champion Olive Oil trophies.
The new categories at this year’s awards include: Champion Chilli Preserve Trophy, Apprentice Butcher Category and a Champion Australian Independent Cheesemaker Award.
Previously judged under a single chilli class, the new Champion Chilli Preserve Trophy within the Preserves category has now expanded to include dedicated awards for chilli sauce, chilli oil and other chilli preserve products. The Champion Australian Independent Cheesemaker Award is designed to celebrate the artistry and craftsmanship of Australia’s independent cheesemakers. Open to apprentices currently undertaking a Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher), the Apprentice Butcher Category includes gourmet sausages and gourmet burgers.
“The Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards are about celebrating the producers shaping Australia’s food industry while also providing a trusted benchmarking platform that supports growth, innovation and excellence,” said Kirrily Waldhorn, Melbourne Royal Senior Manager Food & Beverage Awards.
Open exclusively to 100% Australian products, the awards are designed to inspire and celebrate excellence in food production, providing producers of all sizes — from boutique artisan makers to large-scale commercial operations — the opportunity to receive blind judging, industry recognition and valuable market credibility.
Entries are blind tasted and assessed against strict technical and sensory criteria by some of Australia’s most respected food producers, chefs, retailers, food technologists, educators, writers and recipe developers.
For more information, visit: www.melbourneroyal.com.au/australian-food-awards.