BARILARO SERVES NSW FINE FOODS TO THE WORLD

Fine Food Australia 2019 was officially opened today at Sydney's International Convention Centre by Deputy Premier and Minister for Industry and Trade John Barilaro.

Mr Barilaro said Fine Food Australia is the largest food and beverage trade event in the Southern Hemisphere.

"Over four days, Fine Food Australia will attract over 1,000 exhibitors and 23,000 visitors, giving NSW food and beverage businesses the chance to sell their products to national and international buyers, expand networks and learn new skills," Mr Barilaro said.

"We're seeing skyrocketing demand for our food and beverages both domestically and internationally, with exports valued in excess of $4 billion each year."

Mr Barilaro, a 'foodie' at heart, cut the ribbon before donning an apron and teaming up with Mudgee business IndigiEarth to cook traditional bush tucker with native indigenous spices.

"These fine products we are cooking with today exemplify the high quality, clean, green and sustainable food which NSW is renowned for," Mr Barilaro said

"More than 225 NSW food and beverage producers are participating in Fine Food Australia which is testament to the quality produce coming out of NSW.

"So many of these producers are from regional NSW and I encourage everyone, especially during this time of drought, to travel to our regions and experience some of the incredible eateries we have to offer," he said.

Fine Food Australia Event Director Minnie Constan thanked the NSW Government for its ongoing support of Fine Food Australia.

"This is the 19th year that NSW has participated in Fine Food and I am pleased that this year NSW is also supporting our new demonstration kitchens initiative," Mrs Constan said.

NSW has Australia's largest food and beverage manufacturing sector with over $30 billion in sales and service income - a third of the national total - and about 3,600 businesses employing nearly 70,000 people.

The Flavours of NSW stand is located on level 1 of the Fine Food Australia trade show at the International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour from 9-12 September. For more information on the NSW exhibitors visit