Crystal Bay prawns have been awarded a gold medal and named 'Champion Prawn' at the 2011 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show, Summer Aquaculture Competition. The competition, organised by The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, took place on Wednesday 2nd March, 2011 at Sydney Olympic Park. The pinnacle event for the industry attracted over 90 leading seafood growers from across the nation. The judging panel was comprised of 13 judges - leaders in the field including Matt Kenway, Panel chair and Manager of the Aquaculture Precinct at the Australian Institute of Marine Science. The award comes against the odds with Crystal Bay Prawns' entry into the competition threatened by Cyclone Yasi. The company's main farm, located in Cardwell, was devastated and hundreds of tonnes of prawns were lost in the wake of the natural disaster. Ervin Vidor AM, Chairman of Toga Group of Companies owner of Seafarm (Crystal Bay Prawns) said: "This is a very proud moment for Seafarm and Crystal Bay prawns. Cyclone Yasi had a major impact on the farm and its dedicated staff, and I am very proud of our team in Cardwell who endured great personal hardship and were still able to deliver Crystal Bay prawns that reflect their true quality." The award confirms what some of Australia's top chefs including Neil Perry, Tetsuya Wakuda and Justin North have known for some time, each of which is proud to use Crystal Bay prawns in their restaurants. This prestigious mantel adds to the raft of other awards recognising the outstanding quality of Crystal Bay Prawns including: 'Delicious' Produce Awards, 2011 Gold Medal; Premier's NSW Export Awards, 2010 Finalist Seafood Prix d'Elite, 2010 Finalist, and Queensland Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry Supreme Exporter of the Year 2010.
