Special Report: 24 September, 2007

FINE FOOD AUSTRALIA FINER THAN EVER

After several hours at Fine Food Australia this afternoon I have to report it is the finest ever, stretching throughout SIX halls of the Sydney Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour, Sydney.

This event seemed to be better organised than others I have attended with check-in a breeze at an airport terminal-style counter and, inside the halls, products quite often arranged in categories. This did mean for instance that in Hall 3 (I think!) it was possible to OD on chocolate, after suffering a severe cheese overload in Hall 5, but that was more a lack of individual self-control and extreme generosity of the exhibitors in offering tastings of their products, than an error of organization.

The groupings of many exhibitors under state or country banners was very helpful. It meant you could zone in on those of special interest, and from my point of views it was good news that I could finish at Hall 3 (I'd begun at Hall 6) as the last two were entirely devoted to Hospitality and Catering Equipment.

There were several 'state' zones, and I visited Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and New South Wales within a short distance and was enormously proud to be part of the Australian food industry. The stands looked fabulous, the people were enthusiastic about their products - even at the end of a hugely tiring day - and I am so impressed with the excellence of much of the packaging and presentation used by individual companies. It would be wrong to single out any as there was such a high overall standard. Well done, everybody!

Fine Food Australia continues for three more days until September 27th. Details from www.finefood.com.au