Michael Wohlstadt of The Dairyman Barossa in South Australia has been named Producer of the Year at the 2025 delicious. Harvey Norman Produce Awards, held last night at Bennelong, Sydney, as the program marked 20 years of spotlighting Australia’s best produce.
The awards are one of Australia’s longest-running national programs recognising the people who grow, cultivate, harvest and catch the produce that fuels the country’s hospitality industry. A total of eight winners were selected by a national judging panel of leading chefs, with major awards spanning the Dairy, Earth, Paddock and Sea categories.
Matt Preston
Key details at a glance
Producer of the Year: Michael Wohlstadt, The Dairyman Barossa (SA).
Event: 20th anniversary awards, held at Bennelong, Sydney.
Categories: Dairy, Earth, Paddock, Sea, plus special awards for sustainability, innovation and artisanal craftsmanship.
Judging panel: Danielle Alvarez, Karena Armstrong, Jo Barrett, Peter Gilmore, Lennox Hastie, Matt Moran, Alex Prichard, Matt Stone and Alla Wolf-Tasker.
Full winners list: in today’s The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, The Courier-Mail and The Advertiser, and at delicious.com.au/produceawards.
What they said
Krysia Bonkowski, Content Director, delicious.: “For 20 years, the Produce Awards has been the only national awards program to unearth and celebrate Australia’s top primary producers, and every year, we’re reminded how important that is… To the producers, to even make it to the judging table is testament to their dedication, and to our 2025 winners – congratulations. The future of Australian food is richer, and brighter, because of them.”
Gerry Harvey, Executive Chairman, Harvey Norman: “Great food experiences, at home or in restaurants, start with the best produce… We are proud to partner with delicious. on this important program that recognises and celebrates exceptional talent in Australia’s food production industry.”
Peter Gilmore, chef and National Judge: “Each year, I am inspired by the quality of produce that we taste, and in awe of the resilience of our Australian farmers. Celebrating and supporting our Australian producers, who work tirelessly to deliver outstanding produce, is crucial for our industry.”
Who decides the winners?
A national panel of chefs assessed finalists across four produce categories, with additional special awards recognising sustainability, innovation and craftsmanship. This year’s jury comprised Alvarez, Armstrong, Barrett, Gilmore, Hastie, Moran, Prichard, Stone and Wolf-Tasker.
Partners
• Crystalbrook Collection
• Printhie Wines
• Birds of Isle
• NON
• Dinosaur Designs