On Monday 6 June more than 100 chefs, producers, culinary educators, wine producers and restaurateurs gathered at Legends & Rising Stars, an event recognising the leaders of Australia’s food and wine industry.
Announcements included the winner of the Hostplus Hospitality Scholarship and the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (MFWF) Legends inductees for 2016.
The Hostplus Hospitality Scholarship winner was Elika Rowell, head roaster at Square One Coffee Roasters. Her 13 years of hospitality experience, nine dedicated to roasting and serving specialist coffee, coupled with ambition and sharp leadership skills saw her exceed the scholarship judging criteria.
Rowell will receive the opportunity to work with three hospitality businesses across the world and a year-long mentorship.
Runners up include Colin Wood, development chef of Andrew McConnell Group and Cameron Maher, assistant restaurant manager at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.
The scholarship was judged by Gail Donovan, Umberto Mecchi, Matteo Pignatelli, Rafael Rashid, Jo-Ann Moody and Fleur Studd.
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival Legends inductees for 2016 were Leo Donati, in the food producer/retailer/advocate category; Max Allen, communicator/educator; David Lawler, winemaker/vigneron/sommelier; Mario Maccarone and Mario de Pasquale in the chef/restaurateur/hospitality professional category; and Luke Mangan in the home grown hero category. Kate Reid was inducted as a Hostplus trailblazer.
