The Hive Awards inaugural event took place on Thursday 16 May at the Everleigh, Sydney, to a room buzzing with excitement. We are so pleased to announce the winners, and to have had the opportunity to recognise and celebrate their incredible accomplishments in the industry!
To kick off the afternoon East Forged showed the judges a new way to enjoy tea, winning the Best Processing Award for its Cold Brew Nitro Tea. Australian Plant Proteins took home the Best Ingredient Award, as the first company in Australia to develop and commercialise a plant protein isolate powder.
George Weston Foods won Best Packaging for Don Smallgoods' resealable flow wrap pack, an innovation that cuts plastic waste in half, and Compassion Creamery's world-first Oat Creme Cheese won the Rising Star Award.
The Local Manufacturing Award deservedly went to Openway Food Co. for its incredible work onshoring the production of Table of Plenty’s Sweet Rice Cakes, and the Best NPD Award went to Perfection Fresh Australia's amazing Perfection Air Fryer Veggie Kits.
The Business Excellence Award for a company with a headcount over 75 went to The Dinner Ladies for their incredible growth rate and company culture, and the Gamechanger Award went to OzHarvest and Kakadu Kitchen for their collaborative Conscious Drink.
Kommunity Brew was an absolute standout for the judges and for us at Food & Drink Business, taking home both the headcount under 75 Business Excellence Award and the inaugural Golden Hive Award, for the team's innovation, rapid growth, sustainability practices, quality production and incredible culture.
A huge congratulations to all of our finalists and winners, make sure to check them out and show them some love!
And a massive thank you to our Platinum Sponsor Commonwealth Bank, Gold Sponsors Combilift Australia and Hydroflux Pty Ltd, Silver Sponsors Hawkins Watts Australia, Heat and Control Inc., Trimatt Systems Pty Ltd, and Bronze Sponsors Mintel and Process Partners Pty Ltd., without which this event would not have been possible.
