Every great business starts with a dream. For Julian, it was a permaculture farm in the South West of WA and a search for the perfect winter crop that could become something truly premium. That's when he discovered black garlic, a remarkable superfood with up to four times the health benefits of raw garlic, a naturally sweet umami flavour, and none of the harsh bite.
He was hooked. After experimenting at home, Julian enrolled in a course at Muresk Institute, where he connected with Chef Don Hancey, one of Perth's most respected culinary figures and Susanna from Grow Consultancy. The vision became a business.
Enter Dionne. While Julian works full time, Dionne is the driving force behind everything you see at Black Garlic & Co. She quite literally wears all the hats including production, product development, sales, marketing, stockists, admin, deliveries, and everything in between. Together, they make a formidable team. And 43 awards prove it.
Our Award Journey
2021 — A flying start Our very first year in competition delivered two Champion titles at the RAS Tasmanian Fine Food Awards for our Cloves and our Cherry Paste. Sydney followed with Bronze medals. We were on our way.
2022 — Building consistency Gold in Tasmania for our Jarrah Honey Balsamic, Silver for the Cherry Paste, and more recognition in Sydney. Every competition was teaching us something.
2023 — Our breakthrough year This was the year everything clicked. At Melbourne Royal, our Savoury Paste claimed the Trophy for Best Other Savoury Paste, the highest honour in its category. Across Melbourne Royal, Sydney, and Tasmania, we collected 16 medals in a single year. Sixteen.
2024 — Going global We entered the World Taste Awards and came home with a Platinum Medal for our Jarrah Honey Balsamic and Gold for our Cherry Paste. Australia's finest, recognised on the world stage.
2025 — Champions again Our Cloves claimed Gold and Champion in Sydney, their second Champion title across two different competitions. Two more World Taste Awards medals, including another Platinum for our Cherry Balsamic.
2026 — Our best year yet (and still going) Six products entered at Tasmania. Six medals won — Gold, four Silvers, and a Bronze. Our Cloves and Olive Oil are still to be judged in August. Watch this space.
The Tally So Far
- 38 medals — Gold, Silver, and Bronze
- 4 Champion titles
- 1 Trophy — Melbourne Royal Best Other Savoury Paste 2023
- 2 Platinum medals — World Taste Awards 2024 & 2025
- 5 competitions across Australia and the world
Julian's permaculture farm dream is still very much alive. But in the meantime, we're crafting every product with the finest organic garlic from South West WA, from our Perth kitchen, with nothing but care and passion in every jar.
Thank you for being part of this journey. The best is still to come.
With love from Dionne, Julian, and the Black Garlic & Co family 🖤🧄
Browse our award-winning range at blackgarlicandco.com.au