Melbourne Showgrounds Update: May 2026

The Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards is the first and largest awards program in Australia recognising innovation and excellence in distilling from around the globe. These awards continue to grow in profile and reputation, and this year we are expecting more interest from international distilleries after expanding the awards to include international entries for the first time last year. Already we have received entries from 20 international distilleries, including from the Cook Islands.

Several exciting additions have also been introduced to the AISA program for 2026, including the launch of a new Gin and Tonic category. This innovative category allows exhibitors to have their gin assessed as part of a complete gin and tonic serve using Strangelove tonic waters.

In another significant enhancement, the Champion Australian Distiller Trophies have been refined to recognise excellence across multiple distillery size categories. This updated structure ensures fair and meaningful competition among peers, while creating greater opportunities for distilleries of all sizes to be recognised for outstanding achievement within Australia’s thriving distilling industry.

This year’s judging panel will be led by respected industry figures Holly Klintworth, Managing Director of Bass & Flinders Distillery, and Sebastian Raeburn, Committee Member of the Australian Distillers Association and long-serving judge for our Awards. Judging for the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards will take place during the first week of July, with the awards presentation event to be held onsite at the Melbourne Showgrounds on Monday 27 July.

Entries for the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards open next week. The awards celebrate the very best of Australian food production across a broad range of categories, and new additions for 2026 include: 

• The reintroduction of Bread & Baked Goods and Olive Oil categories, featuring eight new classes and Champion trophies
• A new Champion Chilli Preserve Trophy, with expanded classes across sauces, oils and other chilli products
• A new Apprentice Butcher category for Certificate III apprentices, including gourmet sausage and burger classes
• The introduction of the Champion Australian Independent Cheesemaker Award, recognising excellence among small-scale, locally owned producers

Winning a Melbourne Royal medal remains a highly regarded mark of excellence within the industry, with medal recipients able to proudly display the Melbourne Royal seal of excellence on product, packaging and marketing materials

The crème of the crop will be rewarded during the 2026 Melbourne Royal Show when the trophy winners for 2026 Melbourne Royal Food Awards are announced and presented in the Masterchef Kitchen on 30 September 2026. Melbourne Royal members are invited to attend this amazing presentation of fine food and tickets will go on sale shortly.
 
Thank you to everyone who continues to support Melbourne Royal food and beverage awards. Your engagement and involvement enable us to proudly deliver world-class programs that celebrate excellence, inspire innovation, improve quality and stimulate industry growth.
 
To stay up to date with trophy and medal winners, visit our website or follow Melbourne Royal on social media.

 

Sam Buckley
Executive General Manager, Melbourne Showgrounds