What’s Happening?
Townsville business Zina’s Mangoes has won one of Australia’s sweetest food awards.
Zina’s Mangoes was named Grand Champion Ice Cream, Gelato or Sorbet of Show at the Royal Queensland Awards in Brisbane.
The business won the national title for its French Vanilla gelato.
The award was part of the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland’s Royal Queensland Cheese and Dairy, Ice Cream, Gelato and Sorbet, and Branded Beef and Lamb Awards supported by King Street.
Zina’s Mangoes also won Champion Vanilla, Chocolate or Strawberry Ice Cream or Gelato of Show.
It also took out Champion Ice Cream or Gelato of Show.
Chief Judge Russell Smith said the winning gelato stood out in a strong class.
“Vanilla is one of the most difficult flavours to perfect. Zina’s Mangoes’ used a very high-quality vanilla bean and delivered a gelato with a silky-smooth texture,” he said.
“It was fantastic to award Grand Champion to a first-time entrant in what has become the biggest Ice Cream, Gelato and Sorbet competition in Australia. This competition continues to grow too boasting a 30 per cent increase in entries this year.”
Why It Matters?
The win puts a Townsville producer on a national stage.
It also shows Queensland’s strength across both sweet and savoury food categories.
Zina’s Mangoes won the top ice cream, gelato or sorbet title on the same day Queensland claimed Australia’s best steak.
Stockyard Beef from the Darling Downs won Grand Champion Branded Beef of Show for Stockyard Kiwami.
Together, the results gave Queensland two major national food titles.
By the Numbers
- 592 entries were received across beef, lamb, cheese, dairy, ice cream, gelato and sorbet competitions.
- 30 per cent more ice cream entries were recorded compared with 2025, making the win even more competitive.
- Three major ice cream titles went to Zina’s Mangoes for its French Vanilla gelato.
Local Impact
For Townsville, the win gives Zina’s Mangoes national recognition beyond North Queensland.
The business entered a competition described as the biggest Ice Cream, Gelato and Sorbet competition in Australia.
It also won as a first-time entrant.
That adds extra weight to the result for Townsville’s food scene.
The win may also help bring more attention to North Queensland producers making high-quality products.
Zoom In
Zina’s Mangoes won the top ice cream, gelato or sorbet award for French Vanilla gelato.
Mr Smith said vanilla was one of the hardest flavours to perfect.
The judges praised the use of high-quality vanilla bean.
They also highlighted the gelato’s silky-smooth texture.
The Townsville business beat a growing field of ice cream, gelato and sorbet entries.
Zoom Out
Other major winners came from Queensland and Victoria.
Stockyard Beef from the Darling Downs won Grand Champion Branded Beef of Show for Stockyard Kiwami.
Chief Judge Elaine Millar said the beef had “textbook marbling, perfect lasting yet retained juiciness, melt in the mouth firm but silky tenderness and beautifully well-balanced complex flavours.”
“Another divine winning wagyu entry from Stockyard,” she said.
Midfield Meat International’s Union Station in Victoria won Grand Champion Branded Lamb of Show.
King Island Dairy from Victoria won Grand Champion Cheese or Dairy Product of Show for Roaring Forties Blue.
Mr Smith said the cheese stood among leading blue cheeses.
“The Roaring Forties Blue has been famous for the past 20 to 30 years and it had all the fruity flavours you would expect in the cheese. It is one of the best Roaring Forties I have ever tasted,” he said.
He said the dairy competitions also delivered strong results.
“The standard of entries across the two dairy competitions was very high, with an outstanding showing in the flavoured milk classes. It was wonderful to see producers using real strawberry juice in their strawberry milk!” he said.
“The top cheese products were up there with the best cheeses in Australia and on average the quality in cheese and dairy was very high.”
Other major winners
- Grand Champion Branded Beef of Show, Stockyard Kiwami by Stockyard Beef
- Grand Champion Branded Lamb of Show, Union Station by Midfield Meat International
- Grand Champion Dairy Product of Show, Roaring Forties Blue by King Island Dairy
- Grand Champion Ice Cream, Gelato or Sorbet of Show, French Vanilla Gelato by Zina’s Mangoes
Other ice cream, gelato and sorbet winners
- Champion Vanilla, Chocolate or Strawberry Ice Cream or Gelato of Show, French Vanilla Gelato by Zina’s Mangoes
- Champion Flavoured Ice Cream or Gelato of Show, Enchanted Orchard by Gelato Wonderland
- Champion Ice Cream or Gelato of Show, French Vanilla Gelato by Zina’s Mangoes
- Champion Sorbet of Show, Coconut Delight by Wicked Ice Cream
Other cheese and dairy trophy winners
- Champion Cow’s Milk Cheese of Show, Roaring Forties Blue by King Island Dairy
- Champion Non-Cow’s Milk Cheese of Show, Black Savourine by Yarra Valley Dairy
- Champion Dairy Dessert or Yoghurt of Show, Gourmet Apple and Cinnamon Yoghurt by Maleny Cheese
- Champion Butter, Milk or Cream of Show, Bulla Crème Fraiche 200ml by Bulla Dairy Foods
- Champion Buffalo, Goat, Sheep or Other Non-Cow’s Milk Product of Show, Fresh Camel Milk by Summer Land Camels
- Champion Queensland Cheese or Dairy Product of Show, Fresh Camel Milk by Summer Land Camels
Other beef trophy winners
- Champion MSA Graded Branded Beef of Show, Stockyard Gold by Stockyard Beef
- Grain Fed Class 1 gold, Stockyard Gold by Stockyard Beef
- Grain Fed Class 1 silver, Sir Thomas by Mort and Co Ltd
- Grain Fed Class 1 bronze, Angus Reserve Black Angus Beef by NH Foods Australia
- Wagyu Class AUS-MEAT Marble Score 6 or less gold, Diamantina Wagyu SB6 by Stanbroke
- Wagyu Class AUS-MEAT Marble Score 6 or less silver, Tajima Australian Grainfed Wagyu by Andrews Meat Industries
- Wagyu Class AUS-MEAT Marble Score 6 or less bronze, Carrara Wagyu by Kilcoy Global Foods
- Wagyu Class AUS-MEAT Marble Score 7+ gold, Stockyard Kiwami by Stockyard Beef
- Wagyu Class AUS-MEAT Marble Score 7+ silver, W. Black by Andrews Meat Industries
- Wagyu Class AUS-MEAT Marble Score 7+ bronze, The Phoenix by Mort and Co Ltd
- Open Class gold, Diamantina Black Onyx SB7 by Stanbroke
- Open Class silver, JBS Australia Yardstick MB2+ by JBS Australia
- Open Class bronze, JBS Australia Riverina Angus MB2+ by JBS Australia
Other lamb trophy winners
- Branded Lamb 20 kilograms or less gold, Ambassador by Australian Lamb Company and Minerva Foods
- Branded Lamb 20 kilograms or less silver, Coles Finest Lamb by Coles
- Branded Lamb 20 kilograms or less bronze, Royal Trade by Royal Wholesale Meats
- Branded Lamb 20 kilograms or more gold, Union Station by Midfield Meat International
- Branded Lamb 20 kilograms or more silver, Tasmanian Royal by Royal Wholesale Meats
- Branded Lamb 20 kilograms or more bronze, Royal Trade by Royal Wholesale Meats
- Restaurant Trade Branded Lamb 24 kilograms or more gold, Sovereign by Australian Lamb Company and Minerva Foods
- Restaurant Trade Branded Lamb 24 kilograms or more silver, Tasmanian Royal by Royal Wholesale Meats
- Restaurant Trade Branded Lamb 24 kilograms or more bronze, 246 by Midfield Meat International
What To Look For Next?
Some award-winning products will be showcased at the Royal Queensland Show, also known as Ekka.
The event is now 99 days away, giving food lovers a chance to see some of this year’s winners in Brisbane.
For Townsville, Zina’s Mangoes’ national title gives the city a strong food story to celebrate.
