Main Ridge Dairy Has Plenty to Smile About This Year, adding another chapter to its award-winning story.
At the prestigious 2025 Australian Food Awards in September, the Mornington Peninsula’s well-loved goat’s cheese producer claimed an impressive nine medals — a testament to craftsmanship, care, and a passion for quality that runs through every curd.
The Australian Food Awards celebrate the very best in Australian produce, recognising excellence across the dairy, preserves, and smallgoods industries. With judges sampling hundreds of entries — from artisan butters, cheeses, and yoghurts to small-batch chutneys and slow-cured meats — competition was fierce.
Main Ridge Dairy shone brightly in the Dairy category, taking home three gold medals for its marinated chevre, feta, and its newest creation, caprino. The accolades didn’t stop there — its capony, cashmere, and marinated feta earned silver medals, while cilia, caprinella, and capriole rounded out the tally with bronze.
Owner Sonia Kent said the recognition meant the world to her team.
“We were thrilled to receive nine medals, especially when we’re up against the best of the best in a very competitive industry,” she said. “It is a wonderful acknowledgement of our entire team — from the cheesemakers to the farmers caring for our goats every day. It really confirms that all the hard work is paying off.”
For producers like Main Ridge Dairy, an Australian Food Award is more than just a shiny badge — it’s a mark of excellence that signals to customers across the country that what’s inside the packaging has met the highest possible standards of taste, texture, and technique.
Behind the scenes, the judging panel’s task was nothing short of daunting — tasting their way through ice creams, marmalades, countless dairy delights, and a spread of smallgoods that showcased the depth and diversity of Australia’s food scene, including the Mornington Peninsula.
The awards celebrate producers who continue to push boundaries while staying true to their roots — values that have long defined Main Ridge Dairy. And this is not the dairy’s first time in the winner’s circle. Earlier this year, many of its signature goat’s cheeses also took home medals at the Sydney Royal Show Food Awards, reinforcing its reputation as one of the leaders in Australia’s artisan cheese industry.
From the lush paddocks of Main Ridge to award podiums across the country, this remarkable dairy continues to put the Peninsula on Australia’s gourmet map — one exceptional cheese at a time.
