It may be all about humble beginnings, but Camel Milk has made a successful debut in the prestigious 2018 Sydney Royal Cheese and Dairy Produce competition.
The winners were announced at an awards presentation at the iconic ‘The Stables’ at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park.
A Gold Medal was awarded to Summer Land Camels of Harrisville, Queensland for its Camel Milk entry.
A Silver medal was awarded to Camel Milk NSW, based at Muswellbrook, for its Camel Milk entry, while Silver also has gone the way of Summer Land Camels Queensland for its Marinated Persian Feta.
Expert judges considered almost 100 classes of produce from milk through to cream, cheese, sorbet, gelato, yoghurt and ice cream.
Chair of Judges for the Sydney Royal Cheese and Dairy competition, Mark Livermore, said the annual entries continue to impress.
“Our exhibitors are very passionate about their craft,” Mr Livermore said.
“After all, it is their livelihoods and year on year we are seeing high quality and innovation in the cheese and dairy sectors.
“Who would have imagined years ago that the Sydney Royal judges would be called upon to adjudicate on the wide and increasing range of products.
“There was everything from sheep, goat and buffalo milk and for the first time this year, camel milk?
“The white milk classes were again large in number and hotly contested.
“The judges were particularly impressed with the quality of milk submitted for judging.
“It is this high quality milk which enables the Australian dairy industry manufacturers to produce such outstanding products,” he said.
As always the Sydney Royal competitions produce some fantastic stories of smaller producers mixing it with the major market operators in their respective sectors and holding their own.
Champions from all Sydney Royal Wine, Dairy and Fine Food competitions across the calendar year are eligible for consideration for the ultimate accolade, the President’s Medal, unveiled at a gala awards night at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show.