Here are the local venues that cleaned up the 2023 Golden Plate Awards, celebrating the best of regional Victoria’s hospitality industry
Celebrating the cream of the crop in regional Victoria’s vibrant hospitality scene, the Golden Plate Awards have once again shone a spotlight on the establishments that go above and beyond in delivering exceptional experiences. In their 21st year, these awards continue to be a testament to the outstanding quality of hospitality in regional Victoria.
This year’s judging process took a closer look at eateries and wine bars that were nominated by the public between March and June— once again a challenging time for the hospitality industry as a whole.
Held this week, on Monday, 27 November at 1915 in Geelong, more than 100 of the State’s top culinary achievers witnessed the region’s hospitality sector excel, awarding venues from across Victoria with state titles.
Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here.
Daylesford favourite Kadota took home gold once again, winning the prestigious Golden Plate culinary award last night for the third year in a row. The love child of globetrotting Daylesford wunderkind Aaron Schembri and partner Risa Kadota, who met while slinging hospitality in Japan, this venue wowed the judges with its technical brilliance to take out the coveted State Golden Plate. Kadota also was the State Winner for Best Contemporary Dining and apprentice of the Year (Alexis Saville), as well as highly commended for best customer service.
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Geelong and the Bellarine rose to the top once again with a slew of beloved venues taking our state titles, including the 18th Amendment Bar Geelong who take out the Best Customer Service, Surfside Cafe in Ocean Grove taking out the best coffee in the state for the second year in a row, and The Q Train taking out Best Menu with their Local Drinks List.
Providing how incredible this region is, these outstanding venues not only weathered the storm but also raised the bar for excellence.
Golden Plate Winners 2023
Gold Plate Winner 2023
Kadota
Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Maxim PR
18th Amendment Bar Geelong
Highly Commended: Kadota
Best Coffee – Sponsored by Warral Maldon
Surfside Cafe
Highly Commended: Firebean Cafe, King of the Castle
Best Menu: Local Produce – Sponsored by Ecofresh Filters
The Shared Table
Highly Commended: The Q Train
Best Menu: Local Drinks List – Sponsored by Maxim PR
The Q Train
Highly Commended: The Shared Table, Fook Shing
Best Value Venue – Sponsored by Warral Maldon
Claribeaux
Highly Commended: Fook Shing, I Ragazzi
Most Outstanding Front of House Sponsored by Calibre Workforce
Savannah Stevens
Highly Commended: Briony Christie
Special Category Winners 2023:
Best Unlicensed Cafe – Sponsored by Provincial Media
Ket Baker
Highly Commended: Maldon Bakery
Best Licensed Cafe Sponsored by Provincial Media
Higher Society
Highly Commended: House of Jack Rabbit
Best Hotel Dining Sponsored by Comcater
The Kyneton Hotel
Highly Commended: Five Flags Hotel
Best Cocktail Bar/Cellar Door Sponsored by Warral Maldon
Miss M’s Lounge
Highly Commended: 18th Amendment Bar Geelong
Best Casual Dining Sponsored by Comcater
Claribeaux
Highly Commended: Fook Shing
Best Contemporary Dining Sponsored by Comcater
Kadota
Highly Commended: 1915
Chefs’ Choice – Regional Producer Sponsored by Ecofresh Filters
Inglenook Dairy
Highly Commended: Lard Ass
People’s Choice Award Sponsored by OneMusic
Bean & Base
Highly Commended: Surfside Cafe
Peter Watson Memorial Best Chef Sponsored by Warral Maldon
Douglas Kerr: Peasant
Highly Commended: Danielle Rensonnet – Fook Shing, Luke King – Claribeaux
Apprentice of the Year Sponsored by Calibre Workforce
Alexis Saville: Kadota
Highly Commended: Ebonii-Rose Tapp – The Q Train
These winners have not only raised the bar but set a new standard for excellence in regional Victoria’s hospitality. Here’s to another year of outstanding culinary experiences and vibrant communities.
You can find out more about the awards here.
