Community
4 September, 2024
Success is sweet
LOCAL business Great Ocean Road Cordial Syrups had a successful showing at the 2024 Melbourne Royal Food Awards.
Business manager Anne Rosolin said she received two accolades at the awards.
“My blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry combination received the gold medal, while the lemon, orange, and lime combination was awarded the silver medal,” she said.
“My business, Great Ocean Road Cordial Syrups, has been in operation for three years.
“Our goal is to create a variety of fruit-based cordial syrups for use in a wide range of beverages and desserts.
“I currently produce 14 flavours year-round based on seasonal fruit availability, with additional flavours created using fruits that are only in season.”
Mrs Rosolin said the business came into fruition after offering farm tours at her Glenfyne property in a bid to educate and showcase local products.
“I made the cordial as part of the refreshments available and my guests were asking to buy the syrup themselves,” she said.
“The tour business was good, however, with continued COVID uncertainty, I decided to pivot to creating and making cordial syrups, to sell at markets and local shops.
“My background as a chef before farming helped give me the confidence in my skill to create a new product.”
Mrs Rosolin said the response to the business had been positive.
“The response from my market customers is always positive and I enjoy my conversations with them, especially the tourists to our area,” she said.
“The locals who visit the markets have also been very supportive.”
For her fruity concoctions, Mrs Rosolin sources as much fruit as possible locally including Berry World Timboon, Volcano Produce, Materia Brothers Warrnambool and Greavesys Fruit N’ Veg.
She said this year was the first time she had entered the Melbourne Food Awards.
Mrs Rosolin said she was encouraged to enter by other local food artisans at local markets who were entering their products.
“I decided as a first-time entrant that two would be sufficient to gauge the expert’s opinion on my products,” she said.
“They supply a sliding scale of grading to show how they have arrived at the decision.
“This gives producers a guide on how they are graded and what can be improved if possible.”
Great Ocean Road Cordial Syrups can be purchased locally at the Timboon Railway Shed Distillery, Timboon Berry World, Timboon Fine Ice Cream, Timboon Provedore, Timboon Schulz Creamery Café and the Cobden Visitor Information Centre.
For more information about the range visit greatoceanroadcordialsyrups.com.