2026 Melbourne Royal Food Awards Open for Entries, Introducing New and Returning Categories

Australia’s benchmark for excellence across beer, wine, spirits and food, Melbourne Royal Food & Beverage Awards, is inviting Australia’s leading food producers to benchmark their products against the nation’s best, with entries now open for the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards (AFA) alongside several major category additions and returns for 2026.

With a rich history dating back to 1874, this year sees the re-introduction of the Bread and Baked Goods and Olive Oils categories alongside the launch of a new Champion Chilli Preserve Trophy, New Apprentice Butcher Category and a Champion Australian Independent Cheesemaker Award. Developed through extensive industry consultation, exhibitor engagement and judge feedback to ensure, the expanded program reflects the evolving priorities, innovation, craftsmanship shaping Australia's food industry today, following the successful reintroduction of the Awards in 2023 with Dairy and Preserves, and the return of Branded Meats and Value Add Meats in 2025.

Celebrating the quality and diversity emerging across Australia’s baking and olive oil sectors, the reintroduced 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. Open exclusively to 100% Australian products, the awards provide producers the opportunity to benchmark their products before an esteemed panel of expert judges.

Responding to the rapid growth of chilli-based products across the country, the awards have introduced a new Champion Chilli Preserve Trophy within the Preserves category. Previously judged under a single chilli class, the category has now expanded to include dedicated awards for Chilli Sauce, Chilli Oil and Other Chilli Preserve products, providing greater recognition for innovation and quality within the booming segment.

Further expanding the program in 2026 is the introduction of the Apprentice Butcher Category, designed to support and recognise emerging talent within Australia’s retail meat industry. Open to apprentices currently undertaking a Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher), the category includes Gourmet Sausages and Gourmet Burgers, providing entrants invaluable blind judging feedback from industry experts and competing for the Excellence in Apprentice Butchery Trophy.

The awards will also debut the Champion Australian Independent Cheesemaker Award, celebrating the artistry, dedication and craftsmanship of Australia’s independent cheesemakers, spotlighting small-scale producers making an exceptional contribution to the category.

Leading the Branded Meats & Value Add Meats judging panel is acclaimed butcher and Meatsmith founder Troy Wheeler, while respected dairy specialist Mark Livermore returns as a key Dairy judge. The reintroduced Olive Oil program will be led by internationally regarded expert Claudia Guillaume from Olive Wellness Institute.

Commenting on the expanded 2026 program, Melbourne Royal Senior Manager Food & Beverage Awards Kirrily Waldhorn said the Awards continue to play an important role in recognising quality and supporting producers across the country.

“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. The return of Bread & Baked Goods and Olive Oil, alongside the introduction of the Champion Chilli Preserve Trophy, Apprentice Butcher Category and Champion Australian Independent Cheesemaker Award, we’re continuing to evolve the program in line with industry demand and emerging trends, providing even more opportunities for producers at every level of to showcase their craftsmanship and be recognised for the incredible quality and diversity of Australian food production.”.

As one of the country's largest and longest running food benchmarking programs, the Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards 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 an esteemed panel of Australia’s most respected food producers, chefs, retailers, food technologists, educators, writers and recipe developers. Winning a Melbourne Royal Australian Food Award provides producers with independent industry recognition, valuable product feedback and the opportunity to leverage the trusted Melbourne Royal seal across marketing and retail channels.

Entries to the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards open from Tuesday 19th May.

For more information about the Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards, visit www.melbourneroyal.com.au/australian-food-awards