Schultes Meat Tavern, Plainland, Queensland took out the Full Rasher and Overall winner awards, while Willhome Farm Fresh Meats, Swan Hill, Victoria, topped the group in the Low Fat section.

The Awards For Excellence bacon competition was open to butchers and smallgoods processors who make bacon from 100 per cent Australian pork.

There were 62 different bacons from 45 manufacturers around the country that were tasted and judged, in two categories, full rasher and low fat - the most consumed types of bacon.

The judges were two chefs with broad international experience including working in Michelin starred restaurants, cruise liners and premier teaching institutions, and a Fleischmeister with a Masters degree in Butchering and Smallgoods from the Master College in Monchen Gladbach Germany.

Each entry was judged on the curing process, aroma, texture, taste and shrinkage when cooked. The essential criteria in this competition was the pork had to be sourced from Australian grown pigmeat.

Winners:

O verall: First, Schultes Meat Tavern, Plainland, Qld; Second, Coota Valley Meats, Engadine, NSW; Third, Skara Smallgoods, Nairne, SA.

Full rasher: First, Schultes Meat Tavern, Plainland, Qld; Second, Coota Valley Meats, Engadine, NSW; Third, Skara Smallgoods, Nairne, SA.

Low fat: First, Willhome Farm Fresh Meats, Swan Hill, Vic; Second, Kanmantoo Bacon Company, Kanmantoo, SA; Third, Lucas Quality Meats, Bronte, NSW.