The South Australian Food Users’ Guide will provide chefs, cooks and caterers here and overseas with information and ideas for using and sourcing South Australian produce.
"The food and wine industries lie at the economic and cultural heart of South Australia, and this guide will bring our outstanding produce right into focus for food professionals," Ms Gago said.
"Having the South Australian launch at The Highway Hotel – one of our Eat Local venues – demonstrates the guide’s benefits: here is a venue that chooses SA products and promotes them on their menu, through social media and with their SA ‘Foodie Friday’, and is a great venue for local food companies to conduct tastings and promotions."
At the launch, Premium Food and Wine from Our Clean Environment Ambassador Michael Angelakis AM joined Highway chef Nick Finn and Adelaide Convention Centre’s Head Chef Tze Khaw to discuss the importance of the guide to their work.
Minister Gago said the State Government is committed to supporting South Australian food and wine industries in South Australia through the guide as a key project of the Premium Food and Wine from Our Clean Environment strategic priority.
"Other commitments to this priority include $2.5 million over three years to increase exports of premium food and wine to emerging markets in China, $2.7 million over five years to establish premium food and wine co-innovation clusters in regional areas, and $1 million over four years for additional fruit fly prevention work," she said.
"The 2013-14 State Budget also includes $4.1 million over four years to establish a high-value food manufacturing centre as part of the Growing Advanced Manufacturing priority."
Catherine Barnett, Chief Executive Officer of Food SA, said 10,000 copies of the guide would be distributed to a range of audiences.
"It will be provided to restaurants, cafés, pubs and other food establishments, tourism outlets and education providers in South Australia and interstate," Ms Barnett said.
"Increasingly, global consumers want to know the origin of the food they eat and that it is safe and clean, so we are also issuing the Guide through our Food SA offices in Japan and China.
The guide highlights South Australia’s bakery, beverage, cereals and grains, convenience, dairy and eggs, fruit and vegetables, meat, poultry, game and seafood sectors, and contains detailed information on storage and handling, appearance, packaging, serving ideas and more.
It also includes a comprehensive A–Z listing of more than 350 South Australian food companies to help industry source food for their menus.
The South Australian Food Users’ Guide was produced by Food SA with support from Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA), and was launched in China in May.
