Aug 04

Melbourne’s three hat restaurant Jacques Reymond has been named the state’s top place to dine in the 2010 Restaurant & Catering Victoria Awards for Excellence announced last night.

As well as being named Restaurant of the Year at the annual awards the restaurant also grabbed the award for Best Fine Dining Restaurant. As well, acclaimed restaurateur Jacques Reymond was awarded the prized Lifetime Achiever Award, recognising his outstanding achievements and efforts to the industry.

Thirty two Victorian restaurants and caterers were announced winners at the ceremony held at the Palladium Crown Melbourne that was attended by more than 500 hospitality professionals.Joining Jacques Reymond in the winners’ circle was Crown Melbourne which was named the state’s Caterer of the Year. Crown also won the Best Wedding Caterer category.

Restaurant & Catering Victoria President Matteo Pignatelli said the awards recognised the entire experience that restaurant and catering operations offered.

“The Awards for Excellence represent an important moment as the industry pauses to honour these outstanding venues that were reviewed on the whole dining experience rather than a single dimension,” he said.

The Victorian winners now go on to compete against other state winners around Australian in the national Savour Awards for Excellence annnounced in October.

Here’s the full list of winners:

Major awards

Restaurant of the Year — Jacques Reymond, Prahran

Caterer of the Year — Crown Melbourne, Southbank

Restaurant categories

Asian Restaurant — The Flower Drum, Melbourne

Breakfast Restaurant — Richmond Hill, Richmond

Café Restaurant — Café Vue, Melbourne

Café Restaurant (Regional) — Two Buoys, Dromana

Coffee Shop — Dukes Coffee Roasters, Windsor

European Restaurant — Embrasse Restaurant, Carlton

Fine Dining Restaurant — Jacques Reymond, Prahran

Greek Restaurant — Salona Restaurant, Richmond

Indian Restaurant — Indian Star Restaurant, Moonee Ponds

Informal Dining — The French Brasserie, Melbourne

Informal Dining (Regional) Summit Ridge Restaurant and Lounge Bar, Falls Creek

Italian Restaurant — The Italian, Melbourne

Japanese Restaurant — Wabi Sabi Garden, St Kilda

Modern Australian — Matteo’s, Fitzroy North

Modern Australian (Regional) — Wild Oak Restaurant, Olinda

New Restaurant — Mezzo Bar & Grill, Melbourne

Pizza Restaurant — Ciao Bella, Balnarring

Pub/Club/Tavern — The Grand Dining Room & Bar, Richmond

Restaurant in a Winery — Oakdene Vineyard Restaurant, Wallington

Speciality Cuisine — Verge, Melbourne

Steak Restaurant — The Point Albert Park, Albert Park

Thai Restaurant — Siam 1, Carnegie

Training Restaurant — William Angliss Institute of TAFE, Melbourne

Caterer categories

Boutique Caterer — Ed Dixon Food Design

Corporate Caterer — Epicure, NAB at Docklands

Venue Caterer — Marriner Theatres

Wedding Caterer — Crown Melbourne

Special Awards

Professional Development — Red Scooter Unique Events

Hall of Fame — The Grand Dining Room & Bar

Lifetime Achiever — Jacques Reymond