A Ballarat-based drinking chocolate business has celebrated a major achievement after receiving three medals at the Royal Tasmanian Fine Food Awards, giving the local producer national recognition for its specialty products.

Grounded Pleasures, a Ballarat business specialising in drinking chocolate, received a silver medal for its Exquisite Original Drinking Chocolate and bronze medals for its Exquisite Pink Salt Caramel Drinking Chocolate and Exquisite Tassie Raspberry Drinking Chocolate. The awards were announced as part of the annual competition hosted by the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania.

The recognition is particularly significant because the 2026 awards introduced a dedicated drinking chocolate category for the first time. The competition brings judges from across Australia together to assess a wide range of food products and identify high-quality Australian produce.

Grounded Pleasures founder and owner Craig McKenzie said the business was pleased to receive the recognition, particularly because it was the first time the company had entered its products into a food competition or show.

The business entered four products in the newly created category, with three receiving medals. The result gave the Ballarat producer a strong start in the awards and provided independent recognition of products it has developed over many years.

The company's Pink Salt Caramel Drinking Chocolate includes pink salt harvested from the Pink Lake at Dimboola, adding a distinctly regional element to the product. Its Tassie Raspberry Drinking Chocolate uses real Tasmanian raspberries that are freeze-dried before being ground and incorporated into the chocolate blend.

Grounded Pleasures has been producing its speciality drinking chocolate range for approximately 22 years. The company was established in 1995 and has developed a range of products aimed at consumers looking for premium drinking chocolate.

McKenzie said drinking chocolate was not a major product category when he started the business, making the awards particularly meaningful for the company. The recognition provides feedback from professional judges and places the Ballarat business alongside other Australian food producers recognised through the awards.

The company is now planning to add the medals to the packaging of the three award-winning products. A printer is working with the business to incorporate the new award recognition onto the packets.

The Royal Tasmanian Fine Food Awards are among Australia's established food competitions and have been running since 1995. The awards continue to introduce new classes and categories as food trends and consumer preferences change.

For Ballarat, the success provides another example of a local business gaining recognition beyond the region. Food and beverage producers can play an important role in regional economies by creating local employment, developing products and building connections with customers outside their home market.

The three medals also provide Grounded Pleasures with an opportunity to promote its Ballarat origins and the ingredients used across its specialty range.

The company's success comes as regional Australian food producers continue to compete for recognition at major agricultural and fine-food competitions. For Grounded Pleasures, receiving three medals from its first competition entry represents an encouraging milestone.

The business will now continue producing its award-winning drinking chocolates while incorporating the new medals into its packaging and marketing. The achievement gives the Ballarat company a fresh opportunity to showcase its products to customers across Australia.