The Electrolux Appetite for Excellence 2017 winners were announced in Noosa in on Monday 14 August. This is the of program’s 12th year and the first year the awards were held in Queensland.
Bennelong’s Shui Ishizaka was awarded the Young Chef with Saint Peter’s Alana Sapwell named runner-up. Andrew Gale of Grossi Florentino took home the title of Young Waiter while St Hugo’s James Boden and Sixpenny’s George Papaioannou were dual runner-ups. The Electrolux Young Restaurateur for 2017 was awarded to Thi Le, owner of Anchovy.
“For over 12 years, we have unearthed some truly extraordinary talent through the Appetite for Excellence program, and this year is certainly no different. The program is a stepping stone for great Australian talent and we’ve helped nurture future hospitality leaders. We are very excited to be hosting the awards in Noosa this year, what an ideal setting to celebrate all that is great about our industry,” says Luke Mangan, who co-founded the awards.
The awards ceremony was presided over by journalist and television presenter Magdalena Roze. Judges for 2017 included Mangan, Peter Doyle, Ross Lusted, Peter Gilmore, Nick Hildebrandt, Dave Pynt, Christine Manfield, Danielle Gjestland and Lyndey Milan, among others.
Tourism Australia managing director John O’Sullivan says: “Australia’s exceptional food and wine offering is an important part of our visitor experience for travellers from around the world when they are here. Importantly, it is the people at the frontline who deliver the experiences that leave visitors with a lasting impression and I congratulate all the winners and nominees on their standards of excellence”.
Tourism Noosa CEO Damien Massingham adds: “We are thrilled to be the host destination for the Appetite for Excellence Awards. Noosa has long been known as one of Australia’s great dining destinations and it is great to welcome some of Australia’s best and also up and coming hospitality professionals to Noosa”.
Image: Thi Le