A DARK dark chocolate gelato from Brisbane been named the winner of the Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show’s (RQFWS) Ice-Cream, Gelato and Sorbet Competition.
Milani House of Gelato, from the Brisbane suburb of Hamilton, whipped the field of 145 ice-cream, gelato and sorbet entries to win Grand Champion Ice-Cream, Gelato or Sorbet of Show and claim the title of Australia’s best ice cream, along with taking home five of the six champion awards.
RQFWS judge and ice cream expert Garry Baker said the gelato truly excelled in the two major attributes a grand champion must possess – flavour and texture.
“It’s really true to its flavour and has exceptional creaminess,” Mr Baker said.
“It’s very rare to get a dark chocolate gelato that doesn’t leave a dry or powdery sensation at the end.
“The gelato is smooth, creamy and luscious and the flavour is particularly satisfying.”
A blue cheese from Victoria was crowned Australia’s best in the Cheese and Dairy Produce Show for the second year in a row.
Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese from Victoria, which took the top gong in 2015, once again won Grand Champion Dairy Product of Show with their Riverine Blue, made from buffalo milk.
International food judge and RQFWS chief judge Russell Smith said blue cheese just doesn’t get any better.
“It has a beautiful creamy texture and there is a great distribution of blue throughout the cheese – a wonderful balance of savoury, spicy blue flavours and aromas,” Mr Smith said.
“This product really highlights the skill of the cheesemaker in dealing with a unique milk style.”
The team of 12 national judges, led by Mr Smith, tasted 612 products over four days and were impressed with the high quality.
The Cheese and Dairy Produce Show and the Ice-Cream, Gelato and Sorbet Competition are the first two of seven RQFWS competitions to be held this year.
The Dairy Produce Show is one of the RNA’s oldest competitions, dating back to the first ever Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) in 1876.
The RQFWS is a prestigious competition that unearths Australia’s top food and wine products and is dedicated to celebrating and promoting the nation’s best of the best.
The award–winning products will be featured during this year’s Ekka from August 5-14.
The full list of winners are available by clicking here.
MAJOR WINNERS
Australia’s best cheese and dairy
Palatable Partners Champion Cheese: Tarwin Blue produced by Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese, Fish Creek Vic.
Dairy Australia Champion Dairy Dessert or Yoghurt: Belgian Chocolate Mousse Swiss Dark produced by Nicholson Fine Foods, Yamba NSW.
Dairy Australia Champion Butter, Milk or Cream: Bega Butter by Bega Cheese Limited, Bega NSW.
Champion Buffalo, Goat or Sheep Milk Product: Riverine Blue produced by Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese, Fish Creek Vic.
Champion Queensland Cheese or Dairy Product: Fetta produced by Emmos Fine Foods, Thornton Qld.
Grand Champion Dairy Product: Riverine Blue produced by Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese, Fish Creek Vic.
Australia’s best ice-cream, gelato and sorbet
Majors Group Champion Vanilla or Chocolate Ice-Cream or Gelato: Dark Chocolate Gelato produced by Milani House of Gelato, Brisbane Qld.
Majors Group Champion Flavoured Ice-Cream or Gelato: Strawberry Gelato produced by Milani House of Gelato, Brisbane Qld.
Majors Group Champion Ice-Cream or Gelato of Show: Dark Chocolate Gelato produced by Milani House of Gelato, Brisbane Qld.
Majors Group Champion Sorbet of Show: Sorbetto Cioccolato produced by Gelateria Gondola, Sydney NSW.
Majors Group Champion Queensland Ice-Cream, Gelato or Sorbet of Show: Dark Chocolate Gelato produced by Milani House of Gelato, Brisbane Qld.
Majors Group Grand Champion Ice-Cream, Gelato or Sorbet of Show: Dark Chocolate Gelato produced by Milani House of Gelato, Brisbane Qld.