QLD and NT best hospitality businesses recognised at R&CA awards

It was Queensland and the Northern Territory’s turn to have their leading foodservice businesses recognised at the Savour Australia Restaurant and Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence.

There are 45 categories in the awards, held on 7 September, which recognise exceptional service, demonstrate culinary excellence and deliver great ambience and value for money.

The winners of the key categories are:

• Sake Restaurant & Bar – Restaurant of the Year (as well as the Japanese Restaurant award)
• Epicure, Brisbane City Hall – Caterer of the Year
• Phillip Johnson – Lifetime Achiever
• Hot Tamale, Darwin – Northern Territory Consumer Vote Award
• Salsa Bar & Grill, Port Douglas, QLD – North Queensland Consumer Vote Award (and Best Restaurant Caterer)
• Hatsuhana Restaurant, Main Beach – South East Queensland Consumer Vote Award

The Social Media Award, which aims to encourage and recognise the use of social media, was awarded to Donto Sapporo, Broadbeach, which generated the most posts on Instagram using its registered hashtag.

Stewart White, chair of judges for the Awards for Excellence, says it is important to note that businesses are judged using criteria established by their customers.

“Knowing your customer and exceeding their expectations is pivotal to success – businesses need to serve great food, to evolve and innovate, and invest in their staff.

“The Awards for Excellence provides a benchmark for this success with its criteria determined by consumers who rank what is important to them in the dining experience.

“The winners are clearly and unequivocally scored as the best hospitality operators in their category,” he said.

South Australia; Victoria and Tasmania and Western Australia have also announced their winners, with NSW's event taking place later this month. Some of the winning businesses will compete at the national Awards for Excellence held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 26 October.

The full list of winners from QLD and NT can be seen below:

RESTAURANT AWARDS

• BEER CAFE/WINE BAR
  Bavarian Bier Caf, BROADBEACH
• BREAKFAST RESTAURANT
  Jam Corner, TOWNSVILLE
• BURGER CAF
  The Burger Bar, NOOSAVILLE
• CAF RESTAURANT
  BSKT Caf, MERMAID BEACH
• CHINESE RESTAURANT
  Qi'Lin, TOOWOOMBA
• COFFEE SHOP/TEA HOUSE
  Room with Roses, BRISBANE
• CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT – FORMAL
  Customs House, BRISBANE
• CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT – INFORMAL
  Jam Corner, TOWNSVILLE
• EUROPEAN RESTAURANT
  Nick’s Restaurant, YUNGABURRA
• FINE DINING IN A HOTEL
  The Peak – Spicers Peak Lodge, MARYVALE
• FINE DINING RESTAURANT
  Room 81, BROADBEACH
• INDIAN/SUB-CONTINENT RESTAURANT
  Indian Empire on Runaway Bay, RUNAWAY BAY
• ITALIAN RESTAURANT
  Noosa Waterfront Restaurant, NOOSAVILLE
• JAPANESE RESTAURANT
  Sak Restaurant & Bar, BRISBANE
• MALAYSIAN RESTAURANT
  Satay Ria, FORTITUDE VALLEY
• MEXICAN RESTAURANT
  California Tacos, BURLEIGH HEADS
• NEW RESTAURANT
  Kiyomi – Jupiters Hotel & Casino, BROADBEACH
• PIZZA RESTAURANT
  Trattoria Amici – RACV Royal Pines Resort, BENOWA
• RESTAURANT IN A HOTEL/RESORT
  Bistro On3 – Sofitel Gold Coast, BROADBEACH
• RESTAURANT IN A MOTEL/MOTOR INN/GUESTHOUSE
  Rivers Restaurant – Riverland Motor Inn, ST GEORGE
• RESTAURANT IN A PUB/CLUB/TAVERN
  Malt at the Brewery, TOWNSVILLE
• RESTAURANT IN A WINERY
  Varias Restaurant – Bianca Ridge Winery & Cellar Door, STANTHORPE
• SEAFOOD RESTAURANT – FORMAL
  Sails Beach Restaurant, NOOSA HEADS
• SEAFOOD RESTAURANT – INFORMAL
  Shuck, MAIN BEACH
• SMALL BAR
  HONOURABLE MENTION – Lobby Lounge Bar – Marriott Resort & Spa, SURFERS PARADISE
• SPECIALTY RESTAURANT
  Sofra Turkish Cuisine, TOOWOOMBA
• STEAK RESTAURANT – FORMAL
  Black Hide Steakhouse by Gambaro, PETRIE TERRACE
• STEAK RESTAURANT – INFORMAL
  Char Restaurant @ Admiralty, DARWIN
• SUSHI BAR
  O-Sushi, BROADBEACH
• THAI RESTAURANT
  Modern Thai Restaurant, MT GRAVATT
• TOURISM RESTAURANT
  NT WINNER – Char Restaurant @ Admiralty, DARWIN
  SEQ WINNER – Jellyfish Restaurant, BRISBANE
  NQ WINNER – Malt at the Brewery, TOWNSVILLE
   
• CATERING AWARDS
• CORPORATE CATERER
  HONOURABLE MENTION – Sodexo Australia Pty Limited – Corrs Chambers Westgarth, BRISBANE
• EVENTS CATERER
  Roux Blond, TOWNSVILLE
• FUNCTION/CONVENTION CENTRE CATERER
  The Landing at Dockside, KANGAROO POINT
• RESTAURANT CATERER
  HONOURABLE MENTION – Salsa Bar & Grill, PORT DOUGLAS
• SITE/INDUSTRIAL CATERER
  Cater Care – Homeground Village Gladstone, CALLIOPE
• VENUE CATERER
  Epicure – Brisbane City Hall, BRISBANE
• WEDDING CATERER
  The Landing at Dockside, KANGAROO POINT
•  
• HOSPITALITY AWARDS
• APPRENTICE CHEF
  Dermott Johnman – Contented Chef
• PRODUCT SUPPLY
  Alsco