It was Queensland and the Northern Territory’s turn to have their leading foodservice businesses recognised at the Savour Australia Restaurant and Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence.
There are 45 categories in the awards, held on 7 September, which recognise exceptional service, demonstrate culinary excellence and deliver great ambience and value for money.
The winners of the key categories are:
- Sake Restaurant & Bar – Restaurant of the Year (as well as the Japanese Restaurant award)
- Epicure, Brisbane City Hall – Caterer of the Year
- Phillip Johnson – Lifetime Achiever
- Hot Tamale, Darwin – Northern Territory Consumer Vote Award
- Salsa Bar & Grill, Port Douglas, QLD – North Queensland Consumer Vote Award (and Best Restaurant Caterer)
- Hatsuhana Restaurant, Main Beach – South East Queensland Consumer Vote Award
The Social Media Award, which aims to encourage and recognise the use of social media, was awarded to Donto Sapporo, Broadbeach, which generated the most posts on Instagram using its registered hashtag.
Stewart White, chair of judges for the Awards for Excellence, says it is important to note that businesses are judged using criteria established by their customers.
“Knowing your customer and exceeding their expectations is pivotal to success – businesses need to serve great food, to evolve and innovate, and invest in their staff.
“The Awards for Excellence provides a benchmark for this success with its criteria determined by consumers who rank what is important to them in the dining experience.
“The winners are clearly and unequivocally scored as the best hospitality operators in their category,” he said.
South Australia; Victoria and Tasmania and Western Australia have also announced their winners, with NSW's event taking place later this month. Some of the winning businesses will compete at the national Awards for Excellence held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 26 October.
The full list of winners from QLD and NT can be seen below:
RESTAURANT AWARDS
- BEER CAFE/WINE BAR
Bavarian Bier Caf, BROADBEACH - BREAKFAST RESTAURANT
Jam Corner, TOWNSVILLE - BURGER CAF
The Burger Bar, NOOSAVILLE - CAF RESTAURANT
BSKT Caf, MERMAID BEACH - CHINESE RESTAURANT
Qi'Lin, TOOWOOMBA - COFFEE SHOP/TEA HOUSE
Room with Roses, BRISBANE - CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT – FORMAL
Customs House, BRISBANE - CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT – INFORMAL
Jam Corner, TOWNSVILLE - EUROPEAN RESTAURANT
Nick’s Restaurant, YUNGABURRA - FINE DINING IN A HOTEL
The Peak – Spicers Peak Lodge, MARYVALE - FINE DINING RESTAURANT
Room 81, BROADBEACH - INDIAN/SUB-CONTINENT RESTAURANT
Indian Empire on Runaway Bay, RUNAWAY BAY - ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Noosa Waterfront Restaurant, NOOSAVILLE - JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Sak Restaurant & Bar, BRISBANE - MALAYSIAN RESTAURANT
Satay Ria, FORTITUDE VALLEY - MEXICAN RESTAURANT
California Tacos, BURLEIGH HEADS - NEW RESTAURANT
Kiyomi – Jupiters Hotel & Casino, BROADBEACH - PIZZA RESTAURANT
Trattoria Amici – RACV Royal Pines Resort, BENOWA - RESTAURANT IN A HOTEL/RESORT
Bistro On3 – Sofitel Gold Coast, BROADBEACH - RESTAURANT IN A MOTEL/MOTOR INN/GUESTHOUSE
Rivers Restaurant – Riverland Motor Inn, ST GEORGE - RESTAURANT IN A PUB/CLUB/TAVERN
Malt at the Brewery, TOWNSVILLE - RESTAURANT IN A WINERY
Varias Restaurant – Bianca Ridge Winery & Cellar Door, STANTHORPE - SEAFOOD RESTAURANT – FORMAL
Sails Beach Restaurant, NOOSA HEADS - SEAFOOD RESTAURANT – INFORMAL
Shuck, MAIN BEACH - SMALL BAR
HONOURABLE MENTION – Lobby Lounge Bar – Marriott Resort & Spa, SURFERS PARADISE - SPECIALTY RESTAURANT
Sofra Turkish Cuisine, TOOWOOMBA - STEAK RESTAURANT – FORMAL
Black Hide Steakhouse by Gambaro, PETRIE TERRACE - STEAK RESTAURANT – INFORMAL
Char Restaurant @ Admiralty, DARWIN - SUSHI BAR
O-Sushi, BROADBEACH - THAI RESTAURANT
Modern Thai Restaurant, MT GRAVATT - TOURISM RESTAURANT
NT WINNER – Char Restaurant @ Admiralty, DARWIN
SEQ WINNER – Jellyfish Restaurant, BRISBANE
NQ WINNER – Malt at the Brewery, TOWNSVILLE
- CATERING AWARDS
- CORPORATE CATERER
HONOURABLE MENTION – Sodexo Australia Pty Limited – Corrs Chambers Westgarth, BRISBANE - EVENTS CATERER
Roux Blond, TOWNSVILLE - FUNCTION/CONVENTION CENTRE CATERER
The Landing at Dockside, KANGAROO POINT - RESTAURANT CATERER
HONOURABLE MENTION – Salsa Bar & Grill, PORT DOUGLAS - SITE/INDUSTRIAL CATERER
Cater Care – Homeground Village Gladstone, CALLIOPE - VENUE CATERER
Epicure – Brisbane City Hall, BRISBANE - WEDDING CATERER
The Landing at Dockside, KANGAROO POINT - HOSPITALITY AWARDS
- APPRENTICE CHEF
Dermott Johnman – Contented Chef - PRODUCT SUPPLY
Alsco