Australia’s Best Restaurants
There is certainly growing excitement surrounding the 2019 Chef Hat Awards. So, we thought we’d give you a sneak peek of what you can expect.
Familiar Faces in Australia’s 2019 Chef Hat Awards:
As you might expect, 2018 saw countless, noteworthy restaurants continue to distinguish themselves.
- Quay: Peter Gilmore’s characteristic excellence continues with a reinvented snow egg at the newly renovated Quay. His new book, "From the Earth”, is definitely one for the collection. Lookout for our upcoming interview.
- Attica: reinvigorated, Attica’s Head Chef, Ben Shewry continues to enthrall us, forever delivering the unexpected. Read our latest interview here.
- Brae: Dan Hunter continues to champion sustainability, read our latest interview here.
- The Bridge Room: Ross Lusted continues with sheer passion and determination, read our latest interview here.
- Hentley Farm: a day of decadence in the Barossa Valley can’t be fully enjoyed without visiting Lachlan Colwill's delightful venue.
- Ormeggio at the Spit: continuing to create elegant Italian food, the way it’s meant to be enjoyed.
- Fleet: closed between mid-Nov and mid-Dec, Josh Lewis will take a pause to open his new Mexican venture.
- Firedoor: it’s never cool in the kitchen when Lennox Hastie is playing with fire, read our latest interview here.
- Saint Peter: Josh Niland continues to create waves as he pursues his culinary dreams, read our latest interview here.
- Africola: one of Adelaide’s most original dining experiences. Duncan Welgemoed will have a pop-up restaurant at the Australian Open, look out for our upcoming interview.
- Noosa Beach House Peter Kuruvita: with a brand new book and Sri Lankan flavours that just pop, Peter is celebrating 40 years in the kitchen, read our latest interview here.
- Wildflower: Jed Gerrard takes over, formerly from Sydney’s Black Ezard and Tetsuya.
However, for some, the past year has resulted in significant changes, and even some shock closures.
Notably Absent Restaurants from Australia’s 2019 Chef Hat Awards:
- Sepia (Sydney), due to close December 15. Chef, Martin Benn plans to move to Melbourne to create a new offering.
- Esquire (Brisbane), closed March 29.
- Neil Perry’s Jade Temple (Sydney), closed June 30.
- Oter (Melbourne), closed March 24.
- Fen (Port Fairy, VIC), closed January 27.
- The Blue Door on 5th (Gold Coast, QLD), closed March 29.
- Papa Goose (Melbourne), closed March 31.
- Knee Deep in Margaret River (WA), closed April 2.
On the flipside, some exciting new establishments have come onto the scene.
Ones to Watch for Australia’s 2019 Chef Hat Awards:
- Rick Stein at Bannisters in Port Stephens, NSW.
- Labart, Burleigh Heads, QLD.
- Bea Restaurant, Barangaroo, Sydney, as Chef, Matt Moran creates a new flagship restaurant.
- Garum, Perth, a collaboration between Guy Grossi and the Westin Perth.
- Nineteen at the Star, Broadbeach, QLD.
- Cape Schanck Resort, Mornington Peninsula, VIC, with Executive Chef Josh Pelham at the helm.
- Orpheus Island Lodge, Great Barrier Reef, QLD, with Executive Chef Daniel Main as lead.
Now it’s over to you!
As Australia’s first and oldest national good food guide, we are committed to celebrating the efforts of Australia’s exceptional Chefs and invite you to nominate restaurants you think are worthy of our attention, prior to the release of the Official Chef Hat Awards in January 2019.
Search for the restaurant and nominate via the 'Vote Now' button
