Echuca Meats was recognised on a national scale last Thursday, August 29 in Sydney at the Australian Charcuterie Excellence Awards.
The awards were a meat lover's dream, with more than 800 products from every state entered into this year’s awards and 32 different winners across 35 categories.
Echuca Meats took gold in the Choriza category with their own version of the Spanish chorizo.
According to manager Tyler Hincks the team were overjoyed with the recognition.
“We’re over the moon, it’s nice to get a bit of recognition, it's not what you do it for, but it’s lovely to hear it,” he said.
“(Recognition) on a national scale is huge, with us being just a small business going up against some million businesses, it is quite a big achievement.”
He also said the awards were a good way to know where their products stand against other producers.
“We wanted to enter (the awards) because you just want to know where you're at and where your stuff sits against everyone else's not only in the state but in the country.”
Echuca entered a range of their small goods including ham, bacon and four different flavours of kabanna.
Many of their products did well, however the chorizo was the star of the show, winning the highest honours.
Mr Hincks said the recipe for the winning chorizo had been changed many times, and they won’t be changing it again any time soon.
“We played around a lot in the past with the recipe just to get it to where we wanted,” he said.
“We have been using this recipe for about six months now, we’re obviously happy with where it's at now, we won't be changing it again.”
The lineup of judges consisted of fleischmeisters (master butchers), award-winning and celebrity chefs, artisan small goods makers and industry legends.
Renowned Sydney-based chef Adam Moore was on the judging panel for the awards and says this year’s entrants displayed innovation and craftsmanship.
“It was great to see entrants using foundational recipes, and then being really creative by adding in native ingredients, or ingredients not normally seen in the charcuterie world,” he said.
“In Australia, we have some amazing artisans and producers that are creating phenomenal products.
“Having awards like these change the game, not only in retail, but in terms of influencing what chefs buy, and what consumers love.”
For more info on the awards, visit amic.org.au/charcuterie-excellence-awards-2024