Gourmet Traveller Reveals Best Places to Wine & Dine in Sydney
Get ready to stick a fork into the very hottest eats around the nation: the finalists in Australian Gourmet Traveller’s 2014 Restaurant Awards are unveiled in the current issue, on sale today.
The awards, which launch the publication of Australia’s only national restaurant guide, put the spotlight on the essential movers and shakers in the food world.
Finalists are nominated across six hotly contested categories: New Restaurant of the Year; Wine List of the Year; Sommelier of the Year; Maître d’ of the Year; Regional Restaurant of the Year, and Bar of the Year. This year the judges have had to break with tradition in one category – Best New Talent – and nominate not three, but six kitchen teams and talents as finalists.
Gourmet Traveller editor Anthea Loucas said: “The pickings were so rich in the Best New Talent field we just couldn’t separate them. These are the rising stars of the restaurant world and their food is as diverse and cutting-edge as it is downright tasty. We’re very proud to be able to celebrate the country’s most exciting talent in these awards and the new edition of the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide.”
The winners will be announced at an exclusive awards event held on Wednesday 20 August and published in the 2015 Australian Restaurant Guide, on sale with the magazine from Thursday 21 August.
“It’s a bloody good field,” said Gourmet Traveller chief restaurant critic Pat Nourse. “It’s been a really busy year, and lots of hard-working men and women have really been putting their reputations on the line to make some bold moves with both their food and their restaurants. These buggers haven’t made our jobs as judges easy, but we’re lucky to have them, and however the chips fall with these awards, Australian drinkers and diners are the winners.”
Vittoria Coffee has signed on again as the Platinum Sponsor of this year’s awards and guide. “Vittoria Coffee has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards,” said Vittoria’s managing director, Rolando Schirato. “We are proud to once again be the principal sponsor – especially in a year when Gourmet Traveller is shining the spotlight on the restaurant’s rising stars. Winning awards is not what drives chefs and restaurateurs but it’s important that we celebrate those striving for excellence.”
From an ambitious new venture in country Victoria to an old-style honky tonk in Brisbane and an avant-garde Korean eatery in Sydney, these finalists represent the very best in Australian dining right now.
FINALISTS: AUSTRALIAN GOURMET TRAVELLER RESTAURANT AWARDS
BEST NEW TALENT
• Mat Lindsay, Ester, Sydney, NSW
• Victor Liong, Lee Ho Fook, Melbourne, Vic
• Alex Drobysz, Bar Nacional, Melbourne, Vic
• Eun Hee An & Ben Sears, Moon Park, Sydney, NSW
• Mike Eggert & Jemma Whiteman, Pinbone, Sydney, NSW
• Scott Huggins & Emma Jade Mccaskill, Penfolds Magill Estate, Adelaide, SA
NEW RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
• Brae, Birregurra, Vic
• Ester, Sydney, NSW
• Orana, Adelaide, SA
WINE LIST OF THE YEAR
• Moon Park, Sydney, NSW
• Print Hall, Perth, WA
• Orana, Adelaide, SA
SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR
• Nick Hildebrandt, Bentley, Sydney, NSW
• Marc Esteve Mateu, The Press Club, Melbourne, Vic
• Josh Picken, Orana, Adelaide, SA
MAÎTRE D’ OF THE YEAR
• Simon Freeman, Brae, Birregurra, Vic
• Christian McCabe, The Town Mouse, Melbourne, Vic
• Romeo Lee, Sixpenny, Sydney, NSW
REGIONAL RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
• Brae, Birregurra, Vic
• Provenance, Beechworth, Vic
• Nu Nu, Palm Cove, Qld
BAR OF THE YEAR
• Bar Americano, Melbourne, Vic
• Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane, Qld
• Clever Little Tailor, Adelaide, SA
The winners – and the big gong, Australia’s Restaurant of the Year – will be announced at the awards ceremony on 20 August, which launches the 2015 Australian Restaurant Guide.
See the September issue of Gourmet Traveller for all the winners, on sale Thursday 21 August.
Please login with linkedin to comment
Melbourne Writers FestivalLatest News
PepsiCo ANZ Appoints New CMO For Snacks & Beverages
PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand has announced the appointment of Vandita Pandey to the newly created role of Chief Marketing Officer for both snacks and beverages. Pandey comes from Frito-Lay (a PepsiCo company) in the United States where she has spent the last 11 years in roles that span across marketing, corporate strategy, insights and […]
Aussie Music Stars Front New Digital Campaign For Destination NSW
A bunch of well-known Aussie musicians have been called upon to feature in a new digital marketing campaign by Destination NSW geared at convincing Australian travellers to take a road trip in the state. Informed by audience insights captured through consumer travel websites Sydney.com and VisitNSW.com, the ‘Road Trips’ campaign uses the top searched items, […]
Why DDB Sydney Is Supporting Advertising Equality Initiative ‘ShEqual’
In this guest post, DDB Sydney MD Priya Patel (pictured) discusses why DDB is supporting the launch fo shEqual, an advertising equality initiative from Women’s Health Victoria… shEqual, which launched last week, encourages advertisers and agencies to seriously consider the work we produce and how, collectively, we can move away from tired stereotypes and sexualised […]
Minister Asks ABC Chair To Explain Public Interest Of ‘Inside The Canberra Bubble’ Four Corners Episode
Thought the kerfuffle over Liberal MPs bonking their staff had gone away? The gasoline is only now hitting the match.
Popular With The Brits But A Flop With Locals, Foster’s Vies For Australian Comeback
Australia's most hated beer, Foster's, set for a comeback. Well, apart from XXXX Summer and Heineken Zero that is.
Seven Seeks Internal Emails As Contract Spat With Cricket Australia Escalates
The only winners of these contractual spats are only ever the lawyers. And possibly the lawyers' local BMW dealership.
Subaru Celebrates The Road Less Travelled In New Creative Campaign
Subaru urges Aussies to take a road trip in new campaign. Although car sickness & haemorrhoids sufferers are exempt.
MG Motor Australia Calls On Country To Take A Test Drive To Make A Difference This December
The British marque's now Chinese owned & made. Although probably doesn't want that mentioned given the current climate.
First Day Of Summer Coined ‘Zooper Dooper Day’
Take any Zooper Dooper to zooper new levels by blending one with two shots of vodka, two shots of tequila.
Twitter Says It Won’t Ban Viral Chinese Tweet Of Photoshopped Australian Soldier
As Australia-China relations worsen, Xi Jinping announces pavlova now off the menu at the Great Hall Of The People.
Sudanese-Australian Model Kisses Wife In Anti-Homophobia Stance In Powerful Elle Cover
Lots of people like to say that print is dead. But as you'll read here, a little arthritis aside, it's alive & kicking.
CommBank’s Dollarmites To Be Axed From Victorian Schools
In bad news for seven-year-old TikTok and YouTube millionaires, CommBank’s Dollarmites set to be scrapped.
Daily Telegraph Takes Down Hugh Marks Article Following Legal Threat
Tele backs down in legal stoush with Hugh Marks. Miranda Devine heard to comment: "Thank f@ck I didn't write it."
IKEA Says 50% Of Meals On Restaurant Menus Will Be Vegan By 2025
IKEA warning of a sharp increase in customer flatulence as in-store restaurants go plant-based.
Adgile Doubles-Down On Australia Growth With Team Expansion
Following on from the appointment of Paul Evans as its first Global CEO, Adgile Media has set about expanding and developing its talent base, in order to support and drive growth within the Australian market. Stu Carr joins as Adgile’s new Director of Customer Insights, where he will support clients with their data and analytics […]
WARC Study: COVID Slashes Global Ad Spends By 10.2%, Recovery To Take Two Years
It's yet ANOTHER study showing the impact of COVID on ad spends. Scream "we know, we know" as you digest the facts here.
“It’s A Hoff-Alanche!” David Hasselhoff Plays Nine Roles In Totally Bonkers Ad For Internet TV Service
With the US scratching about for a decent president, any David Hasselhoff ad suggests the answer's closer than we think.
Amaysim Builds On Success Of Little Sim, Big Love Rebrand With Love Machine Music Video Via 72andSunny Sydney
Amaysim has debuted the official music video for the song at the centre of their new campaign, Love Machine, performed by former Gang of Youths lead guitarist, Joji Malani. The music video, produced by creative agency, 72andSunny, builds on the success of amaysim’s recently launched Little Sim, Big Love brand platform and tells a tongue in cheek […]
Val Morgan Digital & Fandom Team Up With Adidas For New Campaign Featuring Esports Star
Partners of Val Morgan Digital, Fandom, the largest entertainment fan site in the world, have this month teamed up with mega brand, adidas to build hype around the release of their new X9000 range. The multi-faceted campaign included a mix of written & video content that tapped into the core pillars of style, tech, and […]
Lucky Cat Takes Nut-Fuelled Voyage Of Self-Discovery In Lucky Nuts Campaign Via Saatchi & Saatchi
Nuts are such a healthy, on-the-go snack, aren't they? B&T often enjoys the salted variety with six schooners.
Akcelo Expands Data Strategy And Martech Capabilities With Appointment Of Senior Marketer Anne Ngo
Brand experience and innovation company Akcelo has today announced the latest senior addition to its growing team, appointing highly experienced marketer Anne Ngo as martech and customer strategy director to lead and grow the practice. Ngo will help Akcelo clients grow their customer marketing and martech maturity by leveraging her deep understanding of the challenges […]
Lifting The Lid On Data: Are Data Labels The Answer?
Many are calling data the chief tenant of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Drunk people seem rather fond of saying it.
7-Eleven Partners With Adobe And Microsoft To Accelerate Digital Strategy
7-Eleven has entered strategic partnerships with Adobe and Microsoft in what is set to accelerate the company’s ambitious digital strategy. With transformation works well underway, 7-Eleven’s digital plans signal a significant step forward for Australia’s leading convenience retailer. 7-Eleven General Manager of Strategy and Technology Stephen Eyears (pictured) said the company sought to deliver more agile innovation in order to meet customer needs across […]
AKQA Supports Startup Gippsland & Creates Meaningful Link With Regional Entrepreneurs
Here's a nice story on brands doing good. And that's despite B&T's editorial preference for evil and schadenfreude.
Toyota, McDonalds, Harvey Norman & More Return As Fox Cricket Partners
Thankfully, sandpaper companies noticeably absent as Foxtel unveils string of cricket sponsors.
Why Search Should Be The Icing On The Cake To Your TV Spend
This adland guru argues TV spend without the SEO is like the one-night stand without the regrettable embarrassment.
Are Media Study: Beauty Influencers Remain Strong With Gen Zs But Sampling Is King
Here's an insightful study into the beauty buying habits of Australian women. Sadly, not great news for the Avon lady.
CHEP’s Chris Howatson & Ant White Depart To Start Howatson+White
Sure, this was yesterday's big news, however, with a simple re-edit, it's the editorial equivalent of reheated pizza.
Anchor Dairy Launches Christmas Appeal For NZ Food Network Via Pead
New Zealand’s Anchor Dairy has switched strategies for its 2020 Christmas campaign, with the company this year drawing attention to the need to give during the festive season. The Fonterra-owned company is encouraging Kiwis to fundraise for the New Zealand Food Network, following the release of research that showed one in five people risk going […]
Victorians Told To Take Advantage Of Energy Reforms In New Campaign, Via Icon Agency
The ‘It’s Your Energy’ campaign, delivered via Icon Agency, encourages Victorians to take advantage of recent energy reforms and ensure they’re getting the best deal possible. Essential Services Commission, the regulatory body for Victorian energy and gas, water, local government, and transport sectors, has engaged Icon Agency to develop an integrated communications campaign to help […]
