Patties Foods was presented with the Excellence in Food Manufacturing Award at the inaugural Food & Fibre Gippsland Excellence in Agribusiness Gala Dinner held in at The Stables in Sale last Friday.
The award recognises food and drink companies from the region that have delivered the best manufacturing returns for their business, their customers and potentially the wider food and fibre industry.
In a competitive field of finalists, including Bassine Specialty Cheese and ViPlus Dairy, Patties Foods was the clear winner, decided by an independent high-calibre judging panel made up of business leaders with a broad understanding of food and fibre business management.
Patties Foods general manager of operations, Denis Gerrard, collected the award among a big round of enthusiastic applause from the 180 people attending.
Flavorite was crowned the Gippsland Agribusiness of the Year and was described by the judges as an outstanding Gippsland success story, with the Nichols and Millis families revolutionising the tomato business in Australia.
Daniel Johnson from Johnson Poultry was named Young Agribusiness Leader of the Year, recognising his efforts in establishing the first broiler farm in the Wellington and Latrobe region, that is now potentially one of the leading poultry farms in Australia – and the only one owned by someone under 45.
Food & Fibre Gippsland chairperson, Joanne Butterworth-Gray, and chief executive officer, Paul Griffin, congratulated both the finalists and the winners.
“The quality of the entries was fantastic in the first year, and the finalists were very impressive, and all so passionate about their Gippsland food and fibre business,” they said.
“We congratulate the winners and commend you on your commitment to innovation and collaboration across the region.”
PICTURED: Patties Foods genberal manager of operations, Denis Gerrard, received the Food & Fibre Gippsland Excellence in Food Manufacturing Award from Food & Fibre chief executive officer, Paul Griffin, an the inaugural Excellence in Agribusiness Gala Dinner held in at The Stables in Sale last Friday. (PS)
