Australia’s premier luxury food magazine, Gourmet Traveller, celebrated the finest in the national culinary scene at last night’s Annual Restaurant Awards. Hosted at Sydney’s Catalina restaurant in Rose Bay, the prestigious event saw The Agrarian Kitchen Restaurant in New Norfolk, Tasmania, being named Restaurant of the Year. It marked a historic moment as the first Tasmanian venue to win this accolade in the awards’ 45-year history.
Rodney Dunn, chef-owner of The Agrarian Kitchen, along with his wife and business partner Séverine Demanet and head chef Stephen Peak, received the award. “The Agrarian Kitchen has followed a remarkable trajectory – from a small farm and cooking school in the Derwent Valley to what is now a global dining destination. The work Rodney and Séverine have put into transforming the property and its gardens, and establishing a truly sustainable food system, is extraordinary”, said Joanna Hunkin, editor of Gourmet Traveller.
The event was a celebration of the immense talent and diversity within the Australian culinary industry. In South Australia, two iconic restaurants took home accolades.
Gourmet Traveller awarded seven State Winners in the Restaurant of the Year category, reflecting the incredible calibre of dining in Australia this year. The South Australian restaurant of the year was awarded to Maxwell Restaurant, nestled in the picturesque McLaren Vale wine region. Its win further cements its reputation as a culinary powerhouse.
Maxwell Restaurant’s Executive Chef, Fabian Lehmann has had a stellar career forged in the Michelin-starred restaurants of Europe, his exquisite multi-course tasting menu is a truly memorable dining experience.
The South Australian Restaurant of the Year award isn’t a standalone accolate for Maxwell Restaurant, which also took out a spot in the ‘Top 10 South Australia Restaurant‘ list in the 2023 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide, along with Three Chef Hats in the 2024 Australian Good Food Guide Awards. It also received Best Regional Restaurant in South Australia in the delicious.100.
Nationally, the state winners were Pilot (Canberra), Cafe Paci (Sydney), Restaurant Labart (Burleigh Heads), Maxwell Restaurant (McLaren Vale), Vue de Monde (Melbourne), and Casa (Perth).
Alla Wolf-Tasker of Lake House in Daylesford, Victoria, a pioneer of regional dining in Australia, received the Readers’ Choice Icon Award. “What Alla and her family created at Lake House really established the archetype for Australian regional dining that continues to inspire and inform chefs and restaurateurs across the country. Alla’s vision and hospitality has been shaping the industry for 40 years – and welcoming diners with warmth and care has been Lake House’s signature since day one,” Hunkin commented.
The awards also recognised individual contributions and emerging talents. Mischa Tropp was awarded Best New Talent for his debut restaurant, Toddy Shop, in Fitzroy, Melbourne, where he introduces diners to the flavours of Kerala. Sarah Baldwin of Joy in Brisbane was honoured as Restaurant Personality of the Year for her unique approach at her 10-seat restaurant.
Another iconic South Australian restaurant has its name up in lights, with the Ayubi Family receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality award for their work at Parwana Afghan Kitchen in Adelaide.
Parwana Afghan Kitchen is a family affair, serving up the cherished recipes of Farida Ayubi, the heart of the Ayubi family. The restaurant first opened in Adelaide’s Western suburbs in 2009. From day one, they’ve aimed to do more than just feed you; they want to transport you to the heart of Afghanistan, showcasing the richness and beauty of their culture through food. It’s a way for the Ayubis to stay connected to their roots, even after being forced to leave their homeland.
Farida, the mastermind behind the delicious dishes, remains the head chef at Parwana. She fled Afghanistan with her husband and four young daughters during the Cold War, finally reaching Australia in 1987. They had to leave almost everything behind, but Farida held onto her passion for traditional Afghan cooking. It became a central part of their family life, and now they share that love and joy with everyone who dines at Parwana.
Parwana has blossomed over time, adding a lunch spot and a sweets shop to their offerings. In 2020, they even shared their story and recipes with the world through their cookbook, “Parwana: Recipes and Stories from an Afghan Kitchen.”
The rest of the country also had stand out entries into the awards. Sydney’s King Clarence won Best New Restaurant, beating SA’s incredible LNV restaurant at Bird in Hand (so it must be amazing!). Chauncy, located in Heathcote, Victoria, was named Best Destination Dining. South West Wine Shop in Busselton, Western Australia, took home the title of Wine Bar of the Year.
South Australian nominees this year included Simon Ming, Odé for Best New Talent; Otherness, Angaston for Wine Bar of the Year; Elementary By Soul Co, Mount Gambier for Best Destination Dining; and Mel Hamilton, Temperance and Fino Seppeltsfield for Restaurant Personality of the Year.
Full profiles of each winner and the annual restaurant guide will be featured in the September 2024 issue of Gourmet Traveller, set to go on sale on Monday 26 August 2024.
https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/dining-out/restaurant-awards
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