Powick’s Pantry’s potentially winning spicy tomato relish is languishing in a mail sorting facility in Sydney instead of being delivered to the Sydney Food Show for judging.

Bonalbo chef Simon Powick entered some of his relishes in last year’s show and came way with one silver and three bronze medals.

This year he won’t even be in the running because of a postal stuff-up.

Simon posted the express package of relishes from Bonalbo on Monday of last week.

It got to Sydney on Tuesday, scheduled to be delivered to the Sydney Food Show on Thursday of last week and in time for the judging.

But it has still not been delivered and is apparently sitting in the mail centre a week after it was posted.

“I’ve called AusPost several times and they say it is ‘under investigation’,” Simon said.

“It’s especially annoying because I’ve been working on the first two based on the feedback from last year.

“We were really close to gold for the tomato and silver for the beetroot last time.”

Winning at the Sydney Food Show is important as Powick’s Pantry had planned to supply a few outlets and a win helps boost their reputation.

While locals know how good the café at the Bonalbo Memorial Hall is, a food show win takes their products further afield.

Now, Simon will have to wait a year to enter again.

This article appeared on indyNR.com on 14 August 2023.

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