Electrolux Appetite for Excellence Awards head to Noosa

The 2017 Electrolux Appetite for Excellence Awards will be announced on Monday 14 August at a beach BBQ party held on Noosa beach, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

The ‘invitation only’ event will be attended by local and international chefs and restaurateurs including Peter Doyle, Peter Gilmore, Danielle Gjestland, Christine Manfield, David Pynt and co-founders of the prestigious national restaurant industry awards program — Lucy Allon and Luke Mangan.

This year’s ceremony will be catered by Australia’s best young chefs using Queensland produce.

“Noosa is an iconic Australian region, renowned for its abundance of local produce and award winning restaurants. It has it all, from the coast to the hinterlands, and what better way to celebrate and announce the next generation of Australian hospitality talent than right here on the beaches of Noosa,” says Mangan.

Multi-hatted Peter Gilmore, Christine Manfield, Lisa van Haandel and past winner Danielle Gjestland feature in the expert judging panel that spent months critiquing, mentoring and ultimately choosing which of the up-and-comers will become the Young Chef, Young Waiter and Young Restaurateur of the Year.

“It’s the first time the Appetite for Excellence program has held the awards outside of Melbourne or Sydney, and it’s an honour for Noosa to be hosting this prestigious event. Food and Wine is the second most popular reason why visitors choose the Noosa region as a destination. We’re very excited to have the spotlight shining on all the hard work our hospitality sector does year round in the lead up to the announcement of Young restaurateur, Young chef and Young waiter,” says Gjestland.

This year’s finalists are —

2017 Electrolux Australian Young Restaurateur National Finalists

Cam Okeefe (CENTRA, VIC)
Dan Moss (Terroir Auburn, SA)
Erin Jordan (The Catbird Seat Bistro, QLD)
Thi Le (Anchovy, VIC)

2017 Electrolux Australian Young Waiter National Finalists

Andrew Gale (Grossi Florentino, VIC)
George Papaioannou (Sixpenny NSW)
James Boden (St Hugo, SA)
Lara Graham (Wasabi Restaurant & Bar, QLD)
Mia McIntyre (e’cco bistro, QLD)
Morgan Golledge (Blackbird Bar & Grill, QLD)
Richard Trezzi (Otto Ristorante, NSW)

2017 Electrolux Australian Young Chef National Finalists

Adrian Hart (Bennelong NSW)
Alanna Sapwell (Saint Peter, NSW)
Ben McShane (Kiyomi, The Star Gold Coast, QLD)
Charley Snadden-Wilson (Embla, VIC)
Josh Raine (Urbane, QLD)
Shui Ishizaka (Bennelong, NSW)

This year’s Young Chef of the Year will participate in a tailor made overseas trip staging at venues to increase culinary skills, knowledge and techniques, with return economy flights courtesy of Virgin Australia to participate in staging; visit the Electrolux Innovation Centre, Italy; and win $3,000 spending money.

The Young Waiter of the Year will participate in a tailor made overseas trip to stage at a world renowned restaurant, with return economy flights courtesy of Virgin Australia to participate in staging; take a two-day visit to a renowned Australian winery with the winemaker, including flights and accommodation; and win $3,000 spending money.

The Young Restaurateur of the Year will win return economy flights courtesy of Virgin Australia to participate in an overseas trip; network with the judging panel; be provided with a business mentor to the value of $3000; and win $5,000 to invest in their business.

Electrolux will provide the establishment of the young chef and waiter winners with a selection of premium domestic kitchen appliances of their choice to the value of $5000, while the young restaurateur will be provided with a selection of premium domestic kitchen appliances of their choice to the value of $5000.

For the first time since its inception in 2005, the traditionally ‘industry only’ affair will be open to food lovers from across the country who will have the chance to win a weekend away to Noosa with VIP tickets to the awards ceremony, two nights’ accommodation and Virgin Australia flights included.