Australian Meat Excellence Awards
For the first time, AMIC combines its flagship annual awards into one prestigious event.
2026 Gala Award Dinner photo gallery available now. View here
Celebrating the Best of the Australian Meat Industry
For a combined 35 years, AMIC has celebrated the outstanding achievements of Australia’s red meat industry through The Australian Charcuterie Excellence Awards and the Sausage King & Best Butcher’s Burger Competition.
For the first time, AMIC is thrilled to present the new Australian Meat Excellence Awards (AMEA), the merging of two esteemed awards nights into one prestigious event.
With an estimated attendance of 350+ people, AMEA serves as an expanded platform that offers sponsors greater brand visibility and media exposure and increased engagement opportunities with Australia’s finest smallgoods manufacturers and butchers.
About the Event
For a combined 35 years, AMIC has celebrated the outstanding achievements of Australia’s red meat industry through The Australian Charcuterie Excellence Awards and the Sausage King & Best Butcher’s Burger Competition.
For the first time, AMIC is thrilled to present the new Australian Meat Excellence Awards (AMEA), the merging of two esteemed awards nights into one prestigious event.
Apprentice of the Year
The National Apprentice of the Year Final brings together the 7 state winners. Using lamb, beef and pork to undertake a practical and mystery box challenge competitors are challenged to create a range or showcase value added lines using top quality Australian ingredients and proteins.
The enthusiasm, passion and drive that all of the Apprentices have showed in their State events to date is a testament to the great work that is happening within a great industry and the people working in it. Fantastic people, business’s and products in butchery and the trade diverse and welcoming to all. We wish all of the apprentices the very best of luck. We will profile each of our apprentices in the lead up to the event and we encourage you to follow their journey to the Nationals as support them.
Sausage King & Best Butcher's Burger
Since 1994 AMIC Sausage King and Best Butchers Competition has been AMIC’s premier event. With over 200 Independent Local Butchers from as far and wide as Darwin to Perth to Hobart submitting over 1,500 entries in state based competition. The National competition brings together the State finalists in undeniably the premier and ultimate sausage sizzle.
The competition is about our Butchers ability and skills to make a great tasting product and the event will be a great showcase of the exceptional products and their highly skilled trade ability.
Categories include:
- Traditional Australian
- Beef Sausage
- Traditional Australian
- Pork Sausage
- Poultry Sausage
- Australian Lamb/Open Class Sausage
- Continental Sausage Gourmet/Open Class Sausage
- Best Butchers Beef Burger
- Best Butchers Gourmet/Open Class Burger
- Best Butchers Lamb Burger
We look forward to celebrating all National finalists.
Australian Charcuterie Awards
Elevate your craft at the Australian Charcuterie Excellence Awards (ACEA). Hosted by the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) Australia’s premier smallgoods and charcuterie competition will be back in 2026. ACEA is designed to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of Australia’s smallgoods manufacturers.
With 35 categories over 10 classes, ACEA is the premier opportunity for industry to showcase your company’s craftsmanship, benchmark your products, and gain recognition both nationally and internationally through our association with IFFA.
A Diverse Range of Classes and Categories
The ACEA offers a wide array of categories to suit every smallgoods artisan. From traditional bacon and ham, salami and biltong and jerky to unique specialty smallgoods and charcuterie.
Categories include:
- Bacon (Categories for Australian Pork and Imported Pork)
- Ham (Categories for Australian Pork and Imported Pork)
- Poultry
- Salami
- Air Dried / Cured
- Red Meat Smallgoods – Beef and Lamb
- Cooked/Pre-Cooked & Baked
- Liverwurst, Pate & Terrines
- Continental Smallgoods
- Other Smallgoods Products
Lear more about The Australian Charcuterie Excellence Awards here.
Smallgoods Young Achiever of the Year
The Young Achiever Award aims to recognise and celebrate the exceptional achievements of young individuals who have shown remarkable talent, innovation, and dedication in their respective fields or communities.
Open to individuals aged 18 to 35 years as of the application closing date.
Applicants must be an Australian citizen or permanent residents and employed in the Australian smallgoods industry, which may include roles in:
- Smallgoods manufacturing and butchery
- Production and operations
- Quality assurance and food safety
- Research and development
- Packaging, warehousing, and logistics
- Sales, marketing, and supply chain roles within smallgoods businesses
What To Expect
Smallgoods Masterclasses
Thursday, 19 March
These sessions offer an exclusive look into premium smallgoods production and innovation from industry leaders.
Masterclass 1 – Bacon – JBS: 9:00 – 9:45AM
Masterclass 2 – Ham: 10:30 – 11:15AM
Location: William Angliss Institute, 555 La Trobe St, Melbourne VIC, Middle Theatre Room – Building E122
Apprentice of the Year Competition
Thursday, 19 March
Expect high energy, exceptional skill and fierce creativity as Australia’s top apprentices compete on the national stage.
The National Sausage King & Best Butcher’s Burger Competition will be taking place at this time. It will be a closed event.
Location: William Angliss Institute, 555 La Trobe St, Melbourne VIC, Butchery Department – DB05
Viewing for this event will be standing room only and space / capacity is limited.
AMEA Gala Evening
Thursday, 19 March
Pre-Dinner Drinks: 6:00 – 6:30PM
Awards Gala: 6:30 – 11:00PM
Dress Code: Formal
Location: RACV Club, 501 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC
After Party: From 11.00pm, downstairs bar at RACV (optional)
Australian Charcuterie Excellence Award Medalists
Click tile to view results post.
Sausage King & Best Butcher's Burger Award Finalists
Click tile to view results post.
