Australian Gourmet Traveller Reveals 2012 Restaurant Awards

Australian Gourmet Traveller Reveals 2012 Restaurant Awards Nominees

27 July, 2011

The hottest – and coolest – places to eat and drink have been tried and tested: meet the finalists in Australian Gourmet Traveller’s 2012 Restaurant Guide Awards, co-sponsored this year by Perrier-Jouët Champagne and Commonwealth Private.

The August issue of Gourmet Traveller, out this week, unveils this year’s movers and shakers in the food world with the announcement of the Restaurant Guide Awards finalists.

Three finalists have been announced in seven hotly-contested categories: New Restaurant of the Year; Wine List of the Year; Sommelier of the Year; Maître d’ of the Year; Best New Talent; Regional Restaurant of the Year, and; Bar of the Year.

Gourmet Traveller Editor Anthea Loucas said: “It’s been a wild ride in the food and wine game this year, and for the most part it’s been the diners and drinkers who have benefitted. Australia’s food scene has never been more diverse or exciting as it is right now and the interest in chefs and restaurants is at an all-time high.

“We are proud to celebrate the country’s best talent in our 2012 Australian Restaurant Guide, the only national guide in the country, and look forward to unveiling the award winners – and the big one, Restaurant of the Year – next month.”

Champagne Perrier-Jouët’s Cellar Master, Hervé Deschamps, said: “Perrier-Jouët is proud to partner with Australian Gourmet Traveller to present the prestigious Australian Restaurant Guide and Awards. 2011 is a very special year as the Champagne house celebrates its bi-centenary and 200 year-old heritage since its foundation in 1811 by Pierre-Nicolas Perrier and Adèle Jouët.”

Commonwealth Private Executive General Manager Adrian Hondros said: “Commonwealth Private is delighted to be partnering with Australian Gourmet Traveller to present these prestigious awards. I congratulate all the finalists for the hard work, dedication and passion required to be the best in their field. I wish all the worthy finalists good luck and look forward to the unveiling of the winners next month.”

FINALISTS: AUSTRALIAN GOURMET TRAVELLER RESTAURANT AWARDS 2012

NEW RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

• Garagistes, Hobart, TAS
• Golden Fields, Melbourne, VIC
• Porteño, Sydney, NSW

WINE LIST OF THE YEAR

• The Dispensary Enoteca, Bendigo, VIC
• Felix, Sydney, NSW
• Ortiga, Brisbane, QLD

SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR

• Giorgio De Maria, 121BC, Sydney, NSW
• Liam O’Brien, Cutler & Co., Melbourne, VIC
• Rodney Setter, Sepia, Sydney, NSW

MAÎTRE D’ OF THE YEAR

• Sarah Doyle, Porteño, Sydney, NSW
• Lara Marro, Vincenzo’s Cucina Vera, Adelaide, SA
• Carolynne Troy, Restaurant Amusé, Perth, WA

BEST NEW TALENT

• Luke Burgess, Garagistes, Hobart, TAS
• Oliver Gould, Stokehouse, Melbourne, VIC
• Vince LaMontagna, Vincenzo’s Cucina Vera, Adelaide, SA

REGIONAL RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

• Biota Dining, Bowral, NSW
• Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld, VIC
• The Stackings, Woodbridge, TAS

BAR OF THE YEAR

• Black Pearl, Melbourne, VIC
• Shady Pines, Sydney, NSW
• The Wine Library, Sydney, NSW

The winners – and the top prize, Restaurant of the Year – will be announced at the awards ceremony on 23 August, when Gourmet Traveller will also launch its 2012 Australian Restaurant Guide.

See the September issue of Gourmet Traveller for all the winners, on sale 24 August.

ENDS

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