Latest News and Events from Best Restaurants

Latest News and Events from Best RestaurantsBest Restaurants of Australia Restaurant News RSS feedhttp://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/xml/feed/news.xmlStillwater in Launceston wins prestigious awardStillwater won the Australian Award for the Best Stand Alone Restaurant at the National AHA Awards in Sydney in August this year, this is it's third National Award since the restaurant opened in October 2000. The operation has continued to define Contemporary Tasmanian Cuisine since it's inception. With the best quality produce and some of the best wines on the doorstep this regional restaurant is a showcase of all that is local, regional and seasonal. Top quality service is integral to Stillwater and a heritage site exuding warmth and a generous ambiance sets the scene for many a memorable dining experience. Original Developer and Business Manager Rod Ascui says; "This is testament to what you can achieve when you are serious about continually reinvesting in your business and in your team. The people are the business and the people make the business, our dynamic young partners add the passion and energy to our operations to ensure every night and for every diner we deliver a top quality experience." Continually raising the bar for service in Launceston, Bianca Chellis, Partner and Front of House Manager sees that "Seeking, training and retaining great staff who are passionate about and invested in your business is essential for long term success." <a href=http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/restaurants/TAS-Launceston-North-And-East-Tasmania-stillwater.aspx >click here for more information on Stillwater</a> http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/news/news.aspx?newsId=1998Cheeky's New Cooking Class Schedule AnnouncedCheeky Food Group has just released their latest cooking class schedule including four new classes. "After talking to people who've attended our classes and an online survey, we uncovered what gets them excited about cooking and what they'd like to try next" tells Cheeky MD Leona Watson. "Our Tapas and Spanish classes are still as popular as ever but Asian is back on the home cook's hit list. Other favourites for our 'hands-on how to' classes were throwing a great dinner party and easy entertaining. This is the perfect match for Cheeky as that's what we do every day with our corporate team cooking events, but with hundreds of people! " Cheeky's new cooking classes include; Asian Fusion, Italian Gnocchi & Pizza Feast, Sumptuous Seafood (BBQ) Feast and Stress-Free Dinner Party. All of Cheeky's classes include a glass of bubbles on arrival and wine with the meal. Cheeky is also part of Crave again, the October Sydney Food Festival. "We really wanted to create fun new events to offer the people of Sydney" Watson explains. "Firstly, we have a Surry Hills Food and Wine Tour & Class, giving people access to local provedores and the delights they bring to our local community. Then back to Cheeky to cook the goodies purchased - a really nice story from the produce to the kitchen to the table". Cheeky will also hold a Charity Cooking Class that allows people to cook for a cause. "Cheeky works with many charities however recently we have started to work closely with the Salvation Army Oasis Youth Centre on Crown Street" Watson tells. "This is a great opportunity for people to have fun cooking together but with the added element of creating smiles as they deliver food to teenagers in need of a home cooked meal and knowing they haven't been forgotten". About Cheeky Food Group Cheeky Food Group was founded ten years ago by Leona Watson and launched the concept of team cooking in Australia. Cheeky runs over 500 hands-on, 100% interactive team-cooking events each year for groups of 7 to 700 in any venue, hotel or conference location across Aust, NZ and Pacific. They also run popular consumer cooking classes, hens and private parties and special events. Cheeky brings people together from all over the world, for fun and a sense of "connection" and aims to inspire people, colleagues, friends and family to cook, smile and have fun together. <a href=http://www.cheekyfoodgroup.com >click here for more information</a> http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/news/news.aspx?newsId=1997Celebrate La Famiglia Lombardy Style Alessandro Pavoni of Ormeggio at the Spit says goodbye to the traditional Sunday roast, delivering a fresh twist with the Lombardian long lunch at Spiedo Restaurant & Bar on Level Six of Westfield Sydney’s prestigious dining precinct. With inspiration taken directly from his home region of Lombardy, Pavoni’s $49 Sunday special offers a sumptuous culinary experience that combines the lavish North Italian ambience with the spirit representative of his heritage - the gathering of family. In celebration of “Famiglia”, this hearty lunch brings families of all generations to Sydney CBD’s ‘Little Italy’ and showcases some of Brescian-born Pavoni’s finest dishes. The prevalence of “family” in Italian culture serves as the basis of this lunch, as Pavoni himself credits the influence of family on his cooking; “I have been always loved eating food, and I used to watch and help my Nonna cook when I was a kid, which inspired me to cook myself.” Available every Sunday, the three course set menu couples quality dining and affordability, to deliver an outstanding experience. Spiedo’s striking atmosphere includes an Italian piazza of marble and wood, highlighted by rays of natural light to provide an elegant, yet traditional Sunday lunch like no other. Famous for its sparkling wines produced in the Franciacorta and Oltrepò Pavese areas, Lombardian wine comes no finer than the 125ml glass of Borgo Prosecco 11 presented to Spiedo guests on arrival. This is followed by the distinctly Lombardian Pizzoccheri Valtellinesi (Buckwheat Pizzocheri, potato, cabbage, sage, fontina cheese) which cheekily tantalizes the taste buds in anticipation for the main. The quintessentially Brescian main course of Five hour spit roast served with roast rosemary potatoes, roasted pumpkin & mixed leaf salad delivers a warm, hearty sense of family and will undoubtedly leave diners convinced they are basking in the foothills of the Italian alps. The three course menu continues to delight with the rich tiramisu dessert, a delectable ending to this unique Lombardian dining experience. Opening Hours: Mon – Fri, 9am – 11:00pm Sat – Sun, 10am – 11:00pm Address: Westfield Sydney Level 6, Shops 6004-6005, 188 Pitt Street, Sydney (Enter via 77 Castlereagh St and take the lift to Level 6) Email: info@spiedo.com.au Website: www.spiedo.com.au Twitter: http://twitter.com/SpiedoSydneyCBD Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cardinalspin/sets http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/news/news.aspx?newsId=1996Countdown to CRAVE Sydney International Food FestivalOctober is a month of extraordinary food events across Sydney and regional NSW. With hundreds of events, there really is something for everyone. With two weeks left to go until the start of the Crave Sydney International Food Festival presented by Citibank, event organisers are gearing up for a jam-packed month full of amazing food experiences across greater Sydney and regional NSW. New to the festival this year are brilliant events such as Breakfast on Bondi (October 23) and Kids’ Crazy Island Tea Party on Goat Island (October 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30), both joining favourites such as the Night Noodle Markets (October 10-14 & 17-21), Barbecue Madness (October 1), Let’s Do Lunch and the fabulous World Chef Showcase (October 1 and 2) – which will have a number of famous South American chefs playing host. Regionally, more than two dozen 100 Mile Meals will be held in different locations around Sydney and regional NSW, offering food lovers fantastic menus created from locally-sourced produce. Tickets to events are being snapped up and Festival Director Joanna Savill said there is everything from full-scale community street-food fairs to intimate one-off dinners, featuring something for everyone. “The number and type of events reflect Sydney’s incredibly diverse food scene and with literally hundreds and hundreds of events, there is so much to see and do and taste,” she said. “The festival is all about enjoying amazing food, family and friends, and there’s no better backdrop than Sydney. There truly is something for everyone in the program.” Other highlights include: · The Heist at Paspaley (October 1) – Four of Australia’s best chefs – Peter Gilmore, Ben Shewry, Mark Best and Andrew McConnell – present an incredible six course tasting menu matched with premium wines from Andrew Guard · The World Sandwichship at Opera Kitchen (Oct 7) – The world’s best sandwich makers from the US, Britain, South Africa and Australia battle it out for the World Sandwichship Champion title. · Street Festivals (throughout October) – with dozens of great street-based events this year, including eight new community festivals – such as Fairfield’s South American Culinary Carnivale (October 15), Bexley’s Food n’ Groove (October 22) and Strathfield Asian Fusion (October 23), there’s never been a better time to explore Sydney’s multi-cultural food scene · Dinner with the Lions (Oct 21) – Diners can have dinner with Taronga’s majestic African lions, with a degustation menu designed by chef Sean Connolly. · Sugar Hit – Indulge your sweet tooth and go out for a special late night dessert platter (from 9pm) at Sydney’s best restaurants and finest hotels. · As always, the Festival closes with the Sydney Food and Wine Fair in Hyde Park on October 29 – the original restaurant-stalls-in-the-park event, celebrating 20 years of giving from Sydney’s restaurant community and food suppliers. Crave Sydney International Food Festival (October 1-31) is a month-long celebration of extraordinary food experiences and one of five signature events in the NSW Events Calendar. The full Crave Sydney International Food Festival program is available on the website www.cravesydney.com. Tickets for the must-do World Chef Showcase are on sale now via Ticketmaster. See ticketmaster.com.au/worldchefshowcase. The full program is now available to search online <a href=http://www.cravesydney.com >click here for more information</a>http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/news/news.aspx?newsId=1995Countdown to Taste of MelbourneTaste of Melbourne returns to the iconic Royal Exhibition Building this September 15-18th, bringing together the city’s finest restaurants and an exceptional line up of premium food and drink producers for an unforgettable gourmet experience all under one roof. Create your dream degustation from a mouth-watering menu of dishes prepared by Melbourne’s best chefs. Enhance your appreciation of coffee, cheese, fine wine and cocktails with expert-led tastings and tutorials. Sip, sample and savour the gastronomic delights of the Taste Producers Market. Taste of Melbourne is the perfect recipe for gourmet glamour, entertaining and inspiration - save the date, invite your friends and book now to enjoy Melbourne’s Ultimate Tasting Menu! CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR ALL THE LATEST PROGRAMME AND TICKETING NEWS: - Plan your trip to Taste - full feature timetables released! - The wait is over - Official Taste of Melbourne 2011 Menu annouced! - The Made Establishment Group Private Dining Experience - SOLD OUT! - St Katherine's and Esposito added to the Restaurant Line Up! - NEW interactive features revealed for Taste of Melbourne 2011! - Tickets for the Plumm Wine Glass Experience with Matt Skinner on sale now! - Tickets for Sensology presents 'The Art of Cocktail Making' on sale now! - The HSBC VIP Lounge returns to Taste! - Taste of Melbourne 2011 Producers Directory announced! <a href=http://www.tasteofmelbourne.com.au/visiting >click here for more information</a> http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/news/news.aspx?newsId=1993Lyndey Milan wins The Vittoria Legend AwardAt the 2012 SMH Good Food Guide Awards came one very special award - The Vittoria Legend Award which went to Lyndey Milan. This is the first time a food communicator has won this award. As Lyndey is overseas with filming commitments, close friend, Rick Stein accepted the award in her honour. Lyndey has also been named as a finalist in Telstra Business Women's Awards. After a heartbreaking year, Lyndey is honored to be a state finalist in the Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award category of the Telstra Business Women's Awards. Lyndey was nominated by TAFE Sydney Institute on behalf of Tasting Success, the female chef mentoring program of which is she patron and co-founder. To Lyndey, this award is an opportunity to consolidate and utilise her network and to positively influence women's lives, as she has done throughout her career. "My mum said: 'It's not what happens to you in life but how you deal with it that's important.' Therefore, I have always believed we're responsible for our own destiny." The NSW state luncheon will be held on Friday 30th September. The 2011 Telstra Australian Business Women's Awards National Gala Dinner will be held in Melbourne on Friday 18 November 2011. Take two - Taste of Ireland 2012. Following the success of Lyndey & Blair's Taste of Greece - achieving ratings that made it one of the top 10 shows for SBS - the DVD is now available and Lyndey is busily working on the cookbook to accompany the series; to be released in time for Mothers' Day 2012. With all things Taste of Greece still fresh in our minds, Lyndey is heading back to Europe however this time far north, to Ireland where she will film the second series, Lyndey Milan's Taste of Ireland. Over eight episodes, Lyndey will travel the country, meeting the locals, learning about the history and of course mastering some delicious local recipes. Taste of Ireland will be released mid 2012. Follow Lyndey and the team on Facebook - facebook.com/tasteofireland http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/news/news.aspx?newsId=1992Crown Melbourne – Australia’s Most Newly Awarded Integrated ResortIn the last month alone, Crown Melbourne has been awarded a total of more than two dozen accolades. The winning streak began in early August at the Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering HOSTPLUS Awards for Excellence and continued at the Australian Gourmet Traveller 2012 Restaurant Awards, The Age Good Food Guide 2012 Awards and the 2011 HM Awards. Collectively, this celebrated recognition cements Crown Melbourne as one of Australia’s most awarded tourism destinations. At the industry-judged Hotel Management (HM) Awards held on Friday 2 September, Crown hotels were bestowed with more accolades than any other Victorian hotel. The 2011 HM Awards named Crown Towers the winner of the ‘Luxury Hotel’ category and Crown Metropol the winner of the ‘Tech Hotel’ category. Crown Towers was also named a finalist and ultimately bestowed with a Highly Commended accolade in the sought-after ‘Hotel of the Year’ category. Crown Metropol was recognised as one of Australia's best ‘Upperupscale Hotels' while the hotel’s day spa, ISIKA, was highly commended in the awards’ highly competitive day spa category. In the 2011 HM Awards’ ‘People Awards’, two of Crown’s team members, Ronald Maskell, Crown Towers’ Chief Concierge and Tara Bishop, Media Relations Manager, were finalists and named Highly Commended in their respective categories of ‘Concierge’ and ‘Communication Associate.’ Crown Melbourne arguably holds more restaurant awards under one roof than any other restaurant precinct in Australia. At the Australian Gourmet Traveller 2012 Restaurant Awards, three of Crown’s restaurants were named in the magazine’s influential list of Australia’s top 100 restaurants. The newly opened Spice Temple and The Atlantic are included on the list for the first time, while industry stalwart, Rockpool Bar & Grill, is ranked in the list’s top 25 restaurants. No less than five of Crown’s premium restaurants were collectively awarded 6 coveted chef hats at The Age Good Food Guide 2012 awards. Retaining its two hat status is Neil Perry’s highly-acclaimed Rockpool Bar & Grill. Gordon Ramsay’s maze restaurant also retained its single hat. Newly opened Crown restaurants that were welcomed to the illustrious guide are The Atlantic, Bistro Guillaume and Spice Temple. The ‘Professional Excellence Award’ was presented to Neil Perry and Spice Temple’s wine list was named ‘Wine List of the Year.’ The 2011 Savour Victoria Restaurant & Catering HOSTPLUS Awards for Excellence bestowed Crown’s prized Japanese-Peruvian restaurant, Nobu Melbourne with the ‘Best Asian Restaurant’ award and named Crown’s Banqueting and Events ‘Best Events Caterer.’ Also awarded to Crown was the prestigious ‘George Mure Memorial Professional Award’ for Crown’s Food and Beverage Training Team, making Crown an automatic finalist for the National Awards. In addition, four of Crown’s restaurants were named finalists at the 2011 Savour Victoria Restaurant & Catering Awards including Crown College’s training restaurant, Culinarium, was recognised as a finalist for the ‘Best Training Restaurant’ category, Crown’s esteemed Chinese restaurant, Silks, was named a finalist for ‘Best Asian Restaurant’, Number 8 restaurant & wine bar was named a finalist in the category for ‘Contemporary Australian Restaurant’ and Emporio Della Pasta was named a finalist in the category for ‘Italian Restaurant.’ Crown Melbourne was also named a finalist in the category of ‘Wedding Caterer.’ http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/news/news.aspx?newsId=1991Spicers restaurants collect four awards for excellence in diningLUXURY new property group Spicers Retreats, Hotels and Lodges has taken out four prestigious awards at the 2011 Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence for the South East Queensland Region. Spicers Tamarind Retreat at Maleny in the Sunshine Coast hinterland won Best New Restaurant for the Sunshine Coast with its restaurant, The Tamarind. Spicers Hidden Vale, located in Grandchester in south-east Queensland, won Best Restaurant in a Hotel/Motel/Resort for the Brisbane and Darling Downs region for Cotton’s Restaurant. And at Spicers Peak Lodge, located in the Scenic Rim south-west of Brisbane, the Spicers Peak Lodge Restaurant took out Best Fine Dining in the Brisbane and Darling Downs region. To top it all off, Spicers Peak Lodge also won best Restaurant of the Year for the Darling Downs region. Winners were announced on Monday night at a lavish ceremony at Jupiter’s Casino on the Gold Coast. “We are very proud of these awards which are result of the hard work of our talented chefs, restaurant wait and bar team members,” Spicers Retreats, Hotels & Lodges chief executive officer Danielle Duell said. “Spicers prides itself not only on its unique destinations and luxury accommodation, but also on high quality in-house restaurants which have become destinations in themselves. Winner of the Sunshine Coast’s Best New Restaurant, The Tamarind boasts two acclaimed chefs Paul Blain and Daniel Jarrett who combine international experience, passion for fresh ingredients and their unique flair to deliver a culinary treat at Spicers Tamarind Retreat. Guests have the choice of indoor or outdoor dining overlooking the lush, tranquil rainforest, and can enjoy a range of innovative Royal Thai and Australian cuisine that just melts in your mouth. “We are absolutely delighted to have been recognised by these awards especially in such esteemed company,” head chef Daniel Jarrett said. ““Our guests tell us that the Retreat has a unique, peaceful energy and we try to reflect this in every dish, aiming to achieve a harmonious balance of flavours which tempt and treat the five senses.” Winner of the Brisbane/Darling Downs Best Restaurant in a Hotel/Motel/Resort, Spicers Hidden Vale’s on-site restaurant, Cotton’s, offers a true taste of Australia with an upmarket steak cuisine offering. Head chef Chris Jones said Cotton’s Restaurant attracted house guests, locals and out of town visitors alike. “The abundant local produce of the region enables our team to create fresh, simple, well-balanced food that is seasonal, colourful, tasteful and innovative,” Mr Jones said. Winner of Best Fine Dining in the Brisbane/Darling Downs region, and Restaurant of the Year for the Darling Downs region, Spicers Peak Lodge is renowned for its luxury accommodation and spectacular setting as well as its al la carte and degustation menus. “Dining at Spicers Peak Lodge Restaurant appeals to all five senses with absolutely beautiful views across the mountain range, the cozy ambience of a log fire, the smell of something delightful being prepared in the kitchen, some moody jazz or the slight touch of an aromatic oil burning, not to mention a culinary taste sensation,” executive chef Frank Meijer said. “Our team aims to provide an unforgettable experience throughout the whole retreat including in the restaurant so we are thrilled to add such as prestigious award to our award portfolio.” http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/news/news.aspx?newsId=1989Sage wins Canberra’s best restaurant in Restaurant and Catering Australia’s Savour Awards for Excellencewon Canberra’s best restaurant in Restaurant and Catering Australia’s Savour Awards for Excellence. Sage Restaurant has gone from strength to strength under new owner Peter Harrington and French-born chef Clement Chauvin whose intricate dishes made with locally sourced produce are described as ‘whimsical pieces of art’. Chauvin worked under Gordon Ramsay in London and at Michelin-starred restaurants in France. Located in Gorman House, a 1920s heritage building, Sage had a facelift with a refurbished main dining room and the addition of a timber deck, open air garden room and the soon to be opened Mint Garden Bar, serving tapas and snacks. <a href=http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/restaurants/ACT-Canberra-sagecafe.aspx >click here for more information</a> http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/news/news.aspx?newsId=1988Helm Wines wins top ranking from James HallidayHelm Wines, which is celebrating 35 years of making Riesling in Canberra, has won a top ranking from Australia's most influential wine critic, James Halliday. In the 2012 edition of Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion, Helm was awarded five red stars, ranking it with fellow local wineries Clonakilla and Collector. Reserved for Halliday's top-ranked wineries, five red stars indicates excellence for at least three years running. Halliday gave Helm's 2010 Premium Riesling 96 points, while the 2010 Classic Dry and 2009 Premium Riesling were each awarded 95 points. After favourable reviews in England, Helm has been swamped with orders from abroad. Helm Wines is an owner operated family winery located in the Canberra District. The winery was given a 5 star rating in James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2012 and it is well known for producing award-winning Rieslings and Cabernet Sauvignons. Helm Wines is one of about 40 boutique cool climate Canberra wineries (established in 1973), one of the first commercial wineries in the Canberra District Wine Region. Located just outside of Murrumbateman, approximately 30 km north of Canberra. <a href=http://www.helmwines.com.au/ >click here for more information on Helm Wines</a>http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/news/news.aspx?newsId=1987