The winners have been named for the 2012 Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence at a gala dinner attended by Premier Jay Weatherill last night at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
South Australia‟s „best of the best‟ were honoured for their outstanding contribution to the hospitality industry in front of 1200 dignitaries and guests. Restaurant & Catering SA‟s Chief Executive Officer Sally Neville said the Awards this year introduced two new categories including Best Bar and Best Bakery/Patisserie.
“The winners are to be congratulated for their professionalism and hard work, servicing locals as well as interstate and overseas visitors,” Ms Neville said.
“We certainly have been overwhelmed this year with the 280 entries received for the Awards, which is the highest on record and up five per cent compared to last year,” she said.
Assaggio Ristorante at Hyde Park was named Restaurant Of The Year, while Best Chef was awarded to Chung Jae Lee at Mapo Korean Restaurant on Gouger Street, Adelaide.
The Individual Hall Of Fame Award was won by Norberto Spagnolo from Buenos Aires Brasserie on Hutt Street, Adelaide for his significant and outstanding contribution to the State‟s hospitality industry.
The prestigious Lifetime Achiever Award was presented to Leo Schadegg from Alphutte Restaurant whose venue has become a landmark for the business lunch diner.
2012 Winners and Categories:
Restaurant Of The Year
Assaggio Ristorante, Hyde Park
Popular Choice
Press* Food & Wine, Adelaide
Best Bakery/Patisserie
Muratti Cakes & Gateaux, Prospect
Best Bar
Botanic Bar, Adelaide
Hall Of Fame – Individual
Norberto Spagnolo – Buenos Aires Brasserie, Hutt Street Adelaide
Hall Of Fame – Italian
Auge Ristorante – Grote Street, Adelaide
Hall Of Fame – Regional
Pipers of Penola – Penola
Hall Of Fame – Seafood
Blanc Bistro & Grill – North Adelaide
Best Chef
Chung Jae Lee – Mapo Korean Restaurant, Adelaide
Best Apprentice Cook
Nathan Freeman – Intercontinental Adelaide
Best Employee
Wilson Lim – Nu Thai Restaurant, Adelaide
Best Employer
Sophie Zervas – The White House Adelaide Hills, Hahndorf
Best Maitre D’
Sharon Romeo – Fino Restaurant, Willunga
Best Breakfast
The Sebel Playford, Adelaide
Best Asian
My Tho City, Hindmarsh
Best Cafe
Assaggio Cafe, Campbelltown
Best Chinese
From Orient, Adelaide
Best Coffee/Tea House
Argo on the Parade, Norwood
Best Contemporary Australian
North Restaurant – Adelaide Casino
Best European
d‟Artagnan Restaurant, North Adelaide
Best Family
Sushi Train Welland Plaza, Welland
Best Greek
Zucca Greek Mezze, Glenelg
Best Indian
Dhaba at the Spice Kitchen, Marryatville
Best Informal
Vino Ristorante, Unley
Best Italian
Assaggio Ristorante, Hyde Park
Best New
Press* Food & Wine, Adelaide
Best Pizza
Original Hahndorf Pizza House, Hahndorf
Best Regional
Vintners Bar & Grill, Angaston
Best Restaurant in a Hotel/Motel/Resort
The Sebel Playford, Adelaide
Best Restaurant in a Pub/Club/Tavern
The Marquis, Adelaide
Best Restaurant in a Winery
The Kitchen Door @Penny‟s Hill Winery, McLaren Vale
Best Seafood
Louca‟s Seafood & Grill, Adelaide
Best Speciality
Red Ochre Grill, North Adelaide
Best Steak
The Barn Steakhouse, Mount Gambier
Best Thai
Toptai, North Adelaide
Tourism
Botantic Gardens Restaurant, Adelaide
Caterer Of The Year
National Wine Centre
Best Event Caterer
Epicure
Best Function/Convention
Adelaide Convention Centre
Best Industrial/Institutional Caterer
Scolarest – Flinders Housing
Best Site/Contract Caterer
Eurest – HP
Best Small Caterer
Hand Made Catering
Best Venue Caterer
Epicure – State Library
Best Wedding Caterer
National Wine Centre
Best Wine List
Apothecary 1878, Adelaide
Best Sommelier
Marcel Bellenger – The Marquis, Adelaide
Service Provider
H & L Australia
Safety
Jacobs Creek Visitors Centre
Professional Development
Hilton Adelaide
Product Supplier
Negociants Australia/Samuel Smith & Son
Media
SA Life
Establishments that enter the Awards are judged by a team of trained judges who anonymously visit various venues over a three month period. Judges refer to the RCSA‟s specific selection criteria which includes the quality of food and presentation, facilities and value for money when marking and deciding a winner.
The winners (except from the Informal and hospitality categories) will now go on to compete against other State winners at the National 2012 Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence to be held in Brisbane in October.
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