The State’s best regional food producers, apprentice chefs and hospitality students have gathered at Sydney Olympic Park to display their culinary skills to thousands of national and international food industry experts at Fine Food Australia.

Minister for Regional Development, Skills and Small Business, John Barilaro said the event is the largest trade show in the Southern Hemisphere and shows the best cooking skills and produce from across the state.

“The NSW Government is proud to be supporting the 16 food producers participating in the Flavours of NSW stand that will place them in a strong position to market their businesses in to national and international regions,” Mr Barilaro said.

“There is something for everyone with some cracking macadamia products from the Northern Rivers as well as fresh fruit juices from the Hunter and Central Coast and the best oysters from the South Coast.

“TAFE apprentice chefs and hospitality students have displayed their culinary skills in the expo following their involvement in the HTN Apprentice Chef Culinary Competition and the Hospitality Front of House Challenge,” he said.

The Flavours of NSW stand featured Brooke Stewart, an apprentice chef from Dubbo and the recent winner of Apprentice of the Year in the ClubsNSW 2015 Chef’s Table competition.

A first year TAFE Western apprentice, Brooke’s achievements will position her for an international culinary scholarship.

The Fine Food Australia expo invites local producers to build industry contacts and brand awareness to over 30,000 visitors. Following the 2014 Fine Food Australia, exhibitors on the NSW stand expected sales of between $220,000 and $310,000, with potential export sales of up to $60,000.

Fine Food Australia is being held over four days from the 20^th to 23^rd September 2015. For more information visit:http://finefoodaustralia.com.au/