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South Australia Recognises the Best at the Restaurant & Catering Awards

South Australia Recognises the Best at the Restaurant & Catering Awards

by Mireille Kilgour : September 21st, 2015

It's been a big and exciting month for the partners of the Good Food Gift Card, with not one but four restaurants picking up awards at the South Australia Savour Australia™ Restaurant & Catering HOSTPLUS Awards for Excellence 2015.

The Awards for Excellence program provides deserved recognition to those restaurants and caterers that excel in their field. The Awards are nationally recognised, independently judged and recognise exceptional service and culinary talent across Australia. Trained judges anonymously visit each nominated venue to determine the winners, basing scores on the entire dining experience, from food and ambience to customer service.

Restaurant & Catering Awards CEO John Hart describes the awards as "one of the most objective awards systems". He says the winners have been rigorously reviewed and the winners "make a significant contribution to the industry and Australia's reputation as a destination for great food".

The South Australian event was held on Monday 3rd August and more than 270 local restaurants, cafes and catering businesses were judged across 62 categories. The winners were announced at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Best New Restaurant: Cafe Sia Gawler

RCSA Chief Executive Sally Neville said a record 45 nominations were received for the "Best New" category, resulting in it being split into four sections. Picking up the award for the Suburban North & West category was Cafe Sia of Evanston, a cafe that prides itself on exceptional service and food.

Cafe Sia is located in the picturesque town of Gawler, not far from the beautiful Barossa Valley. Open breakfast, lunch and dinner, Cafe Sia is a family business that has quickly become one of the most acclaimed eateries in the region. The menu is diverse, and as well as quality dishes made for the table, Cafe Sia also does a roaring takeaway trade due to its handy location inside the Gawler Green Shopping Centre.

The food is Mediterranean-inspired and delicious, with a divine dessert selection and even better wines. The cafe is also known for its exceptional coffee.

This is a cafe that truly deserves its title as one of South Australia's Best New Restaurants.

Best Chinese Restaurant: From Orient

Choosing between South Australia's large array of Chinese restaurants is made simple with From Orient, the combination of authenticity and a modern atmosphere making it a clear winner. With floor-to-ceiling polished steel "birdcage" lights, marble topped bar benches and elegant white linen, the decor is spot on. The food, be it the humble spring roll with a homemade dipping sauce, or their legendary lobster cooked in spring onions and a ginger sauce, will set your mouth watering the moment you open the menu. Expect finely balanced dishes – some ancient, some fused with contemporary elements – prepared with the finest ingredients and the truest of cooking methods.

Best European Restaurant: Georges on Waymouth

Georges on Waymouth was established by George and Voula Kasimatis in 2002, with the aim of serving fresh seasonal produce in a classic European setting. In the heart of Adelaide's CBD, Georges on Waymouth is an undeniable crowd pleaser, so it's little wonder the judges found this to be South Australia's best European jem.

The decor at Georges on Waymouth is stylish and minimalist and the space lends a grandeur feel that's very, well… European. The emphasis, however, is on the food, which changes seasonally and focuses on local produce. Attention to detail is important, and you'll notice this in everything, from their breads, to their pastas and desserts.

Favourites at Georges on Waymouth include a warm salad of slow cooked duck leg, radicchio, quince, pear and grains; as well as their handmade linguine with king prawns, pancetta, lime, mint, coriander and pane fritto. Finish it off with a chocolate fondant with mandarin ice cream and cardamom tuile and you'll understand how the judges came to make their decisions.

Best Indian/Sub-Continent Restaurant: British India

In the heart of Adelaide sits the now crowned Best Indian Restaurant, British India, an elegant, sophisticated and somewhat British take on traditional Indian cuisine. A stone's throw from the Adelaide Central Market, it's the ideal place for lunch, serving dishes that combine the best of British and Indian flavours, such as soft shell crab pakoras with herb salad and curried mayonnaise; and spice crusted beef salad with garlic remoulade. Dinner time is a choice of small or large plates and includes dishes such as kedgeree, lamb cutlets, fish and chips and butter chicken. Can't decide? The banquets are a great option for indecisive diners and also offer great value.

We congratulate all the winners of the 2015 Restaurant & Catering Awards South Australia, especially our fantastic partners. Why not spoil a loved one with a Good Food Gift Card, and let them see what all the fuss is about? Purchase a Good Food Gift Card today.

To view the full list of category winners in the 2015 Savour Australia™ Restaurant & Catering HOSTPLUS Awards for Excellence, visit the R&C website.

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Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour has been an entrepreneur for 35 years in the hospitality sector. French born, she has been an accomplished business owner and operator for a number of Sydney venues. Leading the industry with high profile institutions such as Lamrock Café Bondi, she has endless passion for the industry, and now has the pleasure of supporting restaurants to fill their tables with the new Good Food Gift Card program.