Home to sweet honey, freshly pressed olive oil and farmhouse cheeses, the '2008 Mudgee Fine Food Awards' provide an opportunity for the Mudgee Region's renowned producers to benchmark against others in the industry.

Products such as jams, jellies, pickles, olives, sauces, nuts, confectionary and puddings will be judged by a panel of highly qualified food professionals. This includes Sally Hammond, a prominent food writer, and Trish Hennessey, Chef from Wild Oats Café in Mudgee.

This year's awards will be celebrated at a 'foodies weekend' on 18 and 19 October in Mudgee with the Mudgee Farmers Market and various local farm walks on Saturday. A 'Tasting the Best of the Best' sampling event is held from 4 to 6pm followed by The Awards Presentation Dinner at Wineglass Bar & Grill on Sunday.

Mudgee Fine Foods is an association of food producers, food retailers and hospitality service providers from the Mudgee Region. They promote quality local produce through the monthly Farmers Market and work with the Mudgee Grape Growers Association to bring produce to Sydney's four annual food and wine fairs.

The Mudgee Region of NSW is located 3.5hours from Sydney and attracts local and international visitors to its 40 cellar doors. Local producers include Angela's Edibles, Mowat's, Orniston Free Range Pork, High Valley Wine & Cheese Co, Mudgee Honey Haven & Café, Mudgee Gourmet, The Olive Nest and Mudgee Brewing Company.