Gather cafe in Mort Street, Braddon, has been open less than a year but has already been named cafe of the year, in Restaurant and Catering Australia's recent Savour awards.
The restaurant of the year was Raku Dining in Bunda Street. Hao Chen from Raku was also named chef of the year. The caterer of the year was the Hotel Realm in Barton. Daana in Curtin was named Indian restaurant of the year, and also won the consumer vote. Daana chef Sunita Kumar said: "Winning these awards for the third year means we are providing a unique and memorable dining experience for our guests".
William Fisher and Marcellus Heleta opened Gather cafe in Mort St late last year. They met working at Lucky's Speakeasy in the QT Hotel. They were "stoked" with the win for Gather. "We were up against some tough, very established competition but we also knew we were already doing a very good job," William said.
Ginger Catering at the National Arboretum won wedding caterer of the year. "We're incredibly lucky to be able to set up and deliver magnificent wedding receptions in the Arboretum's stunning indoor and outdoor spaces," executive chef Janet Jeffs said.
- The other winners were:
- CHINESE RESTAURANT - Natural Nine, CANBERRA
- ITALIAN RESTAURANT- Mezzalira on London, CANBERRA
- NEW RESTAURANT- Pilot, AINSLIE
- RESTAURANT IN A HOTEL - Monster Kitchen and Bar - Ovolo Nishi, CANBERRA
- RESTAURANT IN A PUB - Badger & Co, AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
- RESTAURANT IN A WINERY - Café Lerida - Lerida Estate, LAKE GEORGE
- SMALL BAR - National Press Club Lounge Bar, BARTON
- SPECIALTY RESTAURANT - Turkish Grill Restaurant, WANNIASSA
- SITE/INDUSTRIAL CATERER - Trippas White Group - Australian Institute of Sport
- VENUE CATERER - Trippas White Group - Australian War Memorial
- PRODUCT SUPPLIER - H&L Australia
