An olive oil, honey, lemon, and thyme ice-cream, kahjoor (date) flavoured milk and a buffalo cream butter were among those awarded at the 2026 Sydney Royal Cheese and Dairy Produce Show in a celebration of some of the best Australian products on the market.
Held annually as part of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW’s Sydney Royal competitions, the show attracts entries from across Australia to undergo judging by industry experts.
With over 600 exhibits assessed last week, 14 products have stolen the spotlight and been crowned champions in their respective categories.
Sydney Royal Cheese and Dairy Produce Show chair of judges Tiffany Beer said it was a chance to celebrate our 2026 champions and shine a light on the industry as a whole.
“Judging provides producers with the opportunity to showcase their products, whether that is innovative new offerings or home-grown classics, and receive expert feedback from food and dairy specialists,” Tiffany said.
“For the producer, a Sydney Royal medal signifies to consumers that their product is at the top of its game.”
One standout business was the Little Big Dairy Company, which took home two champion titles.
The family-owned dairy and processor impressed judges with its non-homogenised full cream milk, claiming champion milk, and its pure double cream won champion cream.
Borghi’s Dairy also secured two champion awards with its Del Bocia Australian herb butter winning champion butter, while the Del Bocia buffalo cream butter was awarded champion sheep, goat, buffalo or camel milk product.
“We saw an increase in buffalo products, which was exciting for the judges,” Tiffany said.
“Buffalo cheese is the most common entry; however, this year judges also evaluated butter, ghee, curd and milk, with the buffalo butter proving exceptional.”
In the dessert category, V’s Dessert Gluten Free won champion dessert with its original basque cheesecake.
And ice-cream lovers are spoilt for choice with Scoopanova’s chocolate and liquorice 2019 event horizon awarded champion full cream ice-cream and gelato, and Cow and The Moon’s Olive Oil, honey, lemon and thyme taking out champion low-fat ice-cream or gelato.
“Over the past two years, we’ve seen continued growth in innovative and culturally diverse flavour profiles, such as date and cardamom.
“This trend was again reflected across various categories, including the flavoured milk category — with Sharma’s Kitchen winning champion flavoured milk for its Khajoor milk.”
Champion cheese of show was awarded to repeat winner Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese for its Riverine Blue.
Meanwhile, Milawa Cheese Company’s King River Gold was crowned champion speciality cheese, and Bega Cheese’s bega rindless cheddar was named champion cheddar cheese and champion cow milk cheese.
All gold, silver, and bronze medal winners are available via www.rasnsw.com.au
For further information, visit the Sydney Royal website.