THOSE who attended the 2024 Hort Connections Gala Dinner not only applauded the innovation within the sector, they tasted it as well.
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The dinner provided the backdrop to the Horticulture Awards for Excellence 2024, presented in front of more than 1500 delegates at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on June 5.
While the awards celebrated leading growers and industry members for exceptional achievements and innovations across multiple categories, the meal showcased what is possible through innovative thinking.
Them menu items included dishes which incorporated Nutri-V vegetable powder, a product from dinner sponsor Fresh Select.
The powders are created from excess vegetable crops that would otherwise become waste.
Entree alternated between Shaoxing wine Bendigo chicken accompanied by miso mayo, pink ginger, choy sum and chilli oil, and butter-poached prawn tail, served with hemp seed and confit chicken croquette, corn, buttermilk and sea parsley dressing.
The main meals included Victorian farms beef fillet with truffled mash, smoked bush tomato butter and bordelaise jus, alternating with ocean trout, pan-roasted scallop, caramelised kumara, salsa verde and vermouth velouté.
This was followed up by a dessert featuring blood orange and dark chocolate tart, chocolate and berry tart, passionfruit and caramel tart, banana and hazelnut cake, coffee and whiskey mousse, plus lemon and raspberry brownie.
Fresh Select managing director John Said spoke at the dinner, encouraging the horticulture industry to continue to be a united force in agriculture as a whole.
He said it was important to embrace change and increase relevance.
Ten horticulture industry leaders and pioneers were recognised at the awards with the group including growers, researchers, technology providers, educators and more.
Ausveg chief executive officer Michael Coote said each of the winners had made major contributions to the Australian horticulture industry.
"They provide clear examples of the innovation and dedication that drives this industry forward," Mr Coote said.
"For the leadership and value they bring to the Australian horticulture industry, I thank and congratulate all of our winners, as well as the strong field of nominees in this year's awards."
Ashley Walmsley
Ashley Walmsley is the editor of ACM's only national, fresh produce magazine, Good Fruit & Vegetables, while also covering horticulture stories for the agricultural papers and websites. He also writes the weekly, The Ringer, column in the Qld Country Life.
Ashley Walmsley is the editor of ACM's only national, fresh produce magazine, Good Fruit & Vegetables, while also covering horticulture stories for the agricultural papers and websites. He also writes the weekly, The Ringer, column in the Qld Country Life.
