The winner was announced at a gala dinner held at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park tonight during week one of the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Brasserie Bread was founded by baker Michael Klausen and business partner Tony Pappas in 1995 and has its base at Banksmeadow in Sydney, but now has retail outlets across Queensland, Victoria and NSW.

The President’s Medal is the pinnacle of the Sydney Royal Wine, Dairy and Fine Food competitions across the calendar year, with the winner acknowledged as representing the very best Australia has to offer.

Brasserie Bread was nominated for its Champion Bread, Flinders Ranges Sprouted Wheat Loaf in the Professional Bakery Competition, thanks to its astounding volume, delicate crumb and good texture.

Robert Ryan OAM, President of the RAS, congratulated Brasserie Bread on their extraordinary achievement.

“The President’s Medal recognises Australian producers that create the highest quality products by sustainable means, optimising excellence in food production,” he said.

“Brasserie Bread excelled in a field of more than 5,300 entries and almost 500 classes from across the country in the Sydney Royal Wine, Dairy and Fine Food Shows. These Competitions produced 85 Champion products.”

Lyndey Milan OAM, Chair of the Fine Food Committee and renowned fine food and wine expert, has been instrumental in the President’s Medal since its inception twelve years ago.

“This year’s finalists exemplify what the President’s Medal was designed to recognise. Every producer has a deep understanding of their social, environmental and commercial setting,” Ms Milan said.

“Brasserie Bread is a true success story, having begun more than 20 years ago from Michael and Tony’s determination to produce a unique product that has now become a staple for so many Australian families, including their renowned Sourdough,” Ms Milan said.

“Michael actually approached wheat growers in numerous states to get them to produce a strain specifically for a bread made from a single origin.

“That that is the ultimate in Provenance of food and that is really what underpins The Presidents medal,” Ms Milan said.

On the win, Michael Klausen praised his team and also the demands of Australian consumers for change and “traceability” of what we consume;

“I am so proud of all the people who have been willing to come with me on this journey and accepting that we just can’t keep doing what we are doing and we have to change the system.

“I can just see good things coming out of this which is fantastic.

“Today we can now put a loaf of bread on the table and tell you what paddock it is from and that is extremely important,” the Danish born baker said.

Six finalists were examined extensively for the President’s Medal honour;

• Barossa Fine Foods (ham)

• Black Label Berkshire (pork)

• Brasserie Bread (bread)

• Poachers Pantry (smoked duck breast)

• Gage Roads Brewing (beer)

• Gundowring Fine Foods (ice cream)

The awarding of The President’s Medal was the culmination of months of intensive judging by judges Michael Bullen, Deputy Director General Agriculture,NSW Department of Primary Industries and Ed Halmagyi, Better Homes and Gardens Presenter and Publisher of Roughcut Magazine.

Market Acceptance Judges wereColin Fassnidge – Guest Chef & Restauranteur and Paul Diamond – Wine Selectors.

These six finalists are visited by the judges at their place of business to see how the product is made, how the business is set up along with their environmental impact and community engagement.

Brasserie Bread has won$10,000 cash plus an opportunity to have a stand inside the coveted Dome during next year’s Easter Show, giving the winner access and exposure to thousands of people.

The President’s Medal is proudly supported by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Wine Selectors and Australian Pork.