Drakes Supermarkets, well-versed in a broad range of food safety programs, has extended its expertise into artisan gelato production at its Fulham Gardens store. While crafting gelato introduced additional compliance requirements, Drakes Risk ManagerTricia Kaukas said that many of the necessary systems were already embedded within the company’s operations.
“As a retail organisation working extensively with fresh food, we already have comprehensive food safety systems in place, including rigorous temperature monitoring, structured cleaning schedules, and strict sanitisation protocols. When we began producing gelato, we were able to draw on these established processes,” Tricia said.
“Operating under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) guidelines, Drakes benefits from a workforce well-trained in fresh food handling. This existing foundation helped fast-track the company’s accreditation as a Dairy processing business.
“Having worked on food safety programs for other product categories, we were able to adapt that framework to meet dairy standards, with only minor modifications. Over the past few years, the business has invested significant time in developing our dairy food safety program and, admittedly, we have enjoyed a fair share of gelato along the way!”
Tricia acknowledged the valuable support provided by Dairysafe Senior Food Standards Officer, Derene Szczerba, throughout the accreditation process. “Derene worked closely with us to ensure compliance with all requirements, enabling us to produce a safe and high-quality product for our customers,” Tricia said.
While FSANZ principles form the foundation of Drakes’ food safety program, dairy-specific elements such as regular water testing are an important focus. Tricia noted that the Dairy Safe Accreditation process has been collaborative and constructive rather than prescriptive.
Bakery Supervisor, Kalli Parpottas, who oversees gelato production, leads a dedicated team of six staff members, all trained in food safety, hygiene, and meticulous record keeping.
“We ensure our team understands not just how to follow procedures but educate them on why each procedure is important,” Kalli said. “When people appreciate the reasons behind each step, they take greater pride in their work, and the results speak for themselves.”
Looking ahead, Drakes plans to expand the gelato production area at Fulham Gardens to increase output.
“Drakes has already made a substantial investment into current production facility in terms of both specialised production equipment and staff training and development. It’s exciting that the business has committed further investment to grow this space,” Kalli said.
“That’s one of the advantages of working for a family-owned company – we can move quickly, with fewer layers of bureaucracy, and embrace new ideas.”
The investment has delivered outstanding results. At the SA Dairy Awards, following the Royal Adelaide Show in both 2023 and 2024, Drakes Gelato secured nine gold and five silver medals. In 2024, the business also claimed the Chief Judges Trophy and the Champion Frozen Dairy Trophy.
“The trophies last year were a huge surprise, but we’ve always known we have a premium product. We regularly test and compare to market, and our gelato stands out for its quality and flavour,” Kali said.
Reflecting on the awards ceremony, Kalli described the experience as both humbling and inspiring. “It was wonderful to be part of a room filled with producers, farmers, and processors – a true community. We were warmly welcomed as a retailer, and it reinforced how special this industry really is,” she said.
