Winning Big for Argyle Australian Saffron

Turning the clocks back to a few months ago, local producers Angela and Brendon Argyle of Argyle Australian Saffron were nominated in the 2021 DELICIOUS. HARVEY NORMAN PRODUCE AWARDS via the Earth category. “We were genuinely just honoured to be nominated by renowned chef, Spencer Patrick”, Angela expresses.

Fast forward to now, they are taking home top place in their nominated Earth category as state winners. Angela explaining, “Even just hearing we had been nominated was a huge shock. But to win alongside so many amazing producers is beyond our wildest expectations – we are just over the moon about it. We love what we do, and we have worked so hard, and innovated, and taken risks, so this is wonderful validation for us that we are producing something truly special.”

With Brendon adding, "We are not actually sure how Spencer Patrick heard about us and got hold of our saffron. He's worked for Marco Pierre White, but now has his own restaurant and he’s nominating us for a food award?  It's surreal. To take the time to put our little farm in Orange forward – just such an amazing thing for him to do.”

Four distinct seasons are required for saffron to prosper. Making Orange a great climate for growing the spice. With Brendon stating, “We do a few things a bit differently and it's great to be rewarded for taking those risks."

Over 4 years, starting with an original 1 gram whole-stigma saffron, the product line has evolved incredibly fast. To now, spanning across powdered saffron, Nighty Night tea, and a saffron cookbook. But that’s not all, they have recently added to their range a Rescue Facial Oil.

Angela’s and Brendon’s hard work is certainly finding the deserved recognition after all these dedicated years. However, it doesn’t stop with Argyle Australian Saffron, parents to two young children (aged five and three), and maintaining full-time jobs outside of their saffron work. “It’s a lot to pack in but we absolutely love it,” Brendon says.

Brendon continues, “To be honest, Angela has been the main driving force behind the success. I feel like my strengths are digging, picking, and going to the post office – she's the brains of the operation. It's a very hands-on product and with her artistic training and years in business, she's just gone to another level."

With their state win in the bag, the next step for the 2021 DELICIOUS. HARVEY NORMAN PRODUCE AWARDS is national judging. Being held in Sydney next month, the locally produced saffron will be judged alongside the other state winners across the various award categories.

Despite the win, Angela and Brendon are staying grounded about the approaching national judging, "We have zero expectations there, it's just a thrill to be tasted by some of the amazing chefs who are the national judges. But to be honest, it's nice to dream we could be in with a chance."