RIPE Cheese - Hakim Halim - Winner
RIPE is the only all-Australian cheese and toastie shop in the world. It was founded in 2019 by Hakim Halim: a Singapore-born, lactose-intolerant cheesemonger, and an Australian national cheese judge.
RIPE's mission has always been to champion the local artisanal cheese industry, along with cheese-associated businesses and the dairy industry itself. From their popular shop in the Dairy Hall at Queen Vic Markets, RIPE offers over 50 varieties of Australian cheese.
The business also offers private catering and events like beverage and cheese pairings, education and outreach with professional organisations.
Crisp - Edward Tolfree and Shey Newitt - Finalist
Since their first shop in April 2013, the team at Crisp have helped thousands of customers on their healthy journey, guided by a belief that when we eat good food, we feel good both in mind and body.
More than just a salad bar, Crisp aims to put good choices within arm's reach of everyone. The award-winning business has survived a number of challenges to now have five locations in the city, serving even more Melburnians healthy, balanced fare every day.
Mary Martin Bookshop - Dr Jaye Chin-Dusting - Finalist
Mary Martin Bookshop represents the best of Melbourne as a city of literature. Established first in Adelaide in 1945, the independent bookshop quickly expanded to offer readers great books in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne. Today, however, the only remaining Mary Martin Bookshops are in Melbourne.
In 2016, Jaye Chin-Dusting left her medical research career to take over the bookshop in Southbank, which was the only surviving location. She has since brought new life, opening a second store in Port Melbourne and a third at the Queen Victoria Market.
In 2019, Mary Martin Bookshop won the ABIA Independent Bookshop award.
