Tickets are on sale for the 2012 SA Food Industry Awards gala dinner, with organisers Food SA involving charities in the event for the first time, to give back to the community.

To be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on November 16, the black tie event is the food industry’s ‘night of nights’, where the winners of the Awards are announced.

The finalists in eight categories of this year’s Awards, including a new Regional Award backed by major sponsor Primary Industries and Regions SA, will be announced on 3 October.

Food Minister Gail Gago says the Awards are a showcase of South Australia’s premium food and wine and are a must-attend event on the industry calendar.

“The Awards this year will celebrate the people who are at the heart of the industry, which is worth an estimated $13.7 billion to South Australia’s economy,” Ms Gago says.

“This sector is vital to our future. Food is central to our lifestyle and wellbeing - vibrant local food and wine industries underpin our regions - and they create meaningful tourism experiences revered by visitors from around the world.”

Food SA Chief Executive Officer, Catherine Barnett, says their team is working closely with the Adelaide Convention Centre to ensure any unserved food at this year’s gala dinner is given to OzHarvest.

OzHarvest rescues excess food which would otherwise be discarded. It distributes produce to more than 25 charities across Adelaide.

“This year’s Awards theme, ‘The Secret Ingredient’, is about the amazing people of the South Australian food industry,” Ms Barnett said.

“It provides the perfect reason to give back to the community, bringing together the people element.”

Ms Barnett says Food SA also plans to work with charities to source styling products and props, as well as to assist in supplying staff to help with the set up of the gala dinner.

“We want to celebrate the passion, dedication, ethics, entrepreneurship, and spirit of the people, which is the essence of what makes our food industry successful and inspiring,” she said.

“The menu at the Gala Dinner will feature some of South Australia’s premium food and wine, designed by Chef Tze Khaw with matching wines from Nardone Baker Wines.”