On Monday night Adelaide Food Central attended the Restaurant and Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence. Located at the Adelaide Convention Centre it was a night of gorgeous food, vibrant wine, provided by Salena Estate and the celebration of some of the well-deserved winners.

We all know that COVID-19 has put a lot of strain on the hospitality industry, and I think it is very important that we are continuously recognising the hard work that hospitality workers put in. This event gathered together some of the best restaurants across South Australia to celebrate all the industry has done for us.

The Adelaide Convention Centre surprised me phenomenally with the quality of the food they provided to their guests. The four-course meal started with:

Oysters with a Vinaigrette

A big shout out to Oyster Bob who provided the night with some of the most stunning oysters imaginable. We love oysters at Adelaide Food Central so we were very happy when these came out as a side.

Gin Cured Salmon with Australia Native Food Co Bush Apple Jam, Charred Cucumber, Radish, Native Mint Cream, EVOO Powder

This entrée dish was incredible. The piece of salmon was thick and it felt like you were getting a lot for a sashimi style dish. The subtle fish paired well with the sweet apple jam and creamy mint cream. I could not have asked for a better dish to start with.

Murray land Rack of Lamb with Potato Gratin, Crushed Peas, Warrigal Greens, with Native Mint, Black Garlic Ketchup

The lamb was cooked to absolute perfection with a slightly pink middle. The potato gratin was slightly creamy and worked well with the meat and sweet crushed peas. I always wonder how caterers can make such a huge amount of food and get it perfect every single dish they bring out. I was extremely impressed.

Bitter Chocolate and Orange Custard Cake with Hazelnut Cereal, Anise and Lemon Gel, Australian Native Food Co Green Ant Marmalade Ice Cream

What more could you ask for in a dessert? The bitter chocolate paired perfectly with the zesty orange. The hazelnut cereal was to die for and was a great addition along with the lemon gel. The marmalade ice-cream was ever so slightly bitter and worked well with the custard cake.

A huge congratulations to all the winners on the night. Each award was well deserved, and it was fantastic to see so many regional restaurants take away a prize. The major award winners included:

Lifetime Achiever Award – Peter Clarke from Vintners Bar & Grill

Pivot and Innovation Award – First Award – National Wine Centre of Australia

Pivot and Innovation Award – Second Award – The Banksia Tree Cafe

Employee of the Year – Maddison Hassett from Vintners Bar & Grill

Apprentice Chef of the Year – Ruby Ludwig from My Kingdom for a Horse

Chef of the Year – Steven Clark from National Wine Centre of Australia

Wine List of the Year – The Barn Steakhouse

Healthy Kids Menu – Appleseed Cafe

Consumer Vote – Cafe Sia

Asian Restaurant – Hut & Soul

Family Dining – Anthony’s Cucina e Pizzeria

Breakfast Restaurant – Regional – Cafe Sia

Breakfast Restaurant – City – My Kingdom for a Horse

Burger Bar – Cheffy Chelby’s

Restaurant in a Hotel – Commodore on the Park Restaurant

Cafe Dining – Regional – Cafe Sia

Cafe Dining – City – My Kingdom for a Horse

Coffee Shop/Bakery/Patisserie – Coffee Amigo

Small Caterer – Hand Made Catering

Contemporary Australian Restaurant – Informal – Musque Food & Wine

Contemporary Australian Restaurant – Formal – Pipers of Penola

Restaurant in a Winery – d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant

European Restaurant – Kafana Kitchen & Bar

Chinese Restaurant – Concubine

Function/Convention Centre Caterer – Mount Lofty House

Greek Restaurant – Estia Restaurant

Pizza Restaurant – Tony Tomatoes

Indian/Sub-Continent Restaurant – Cinnamon Club

Industrial/Institutional Caterer – Chartwells – Sacred Heart College

Italian Restaurant – Luigi Delicatessen

Thai Restaurant – Zaep Tastes of Thailand

Japanese Restaurant – Erato Teppanyaki

Mexican Restaurant – Loco Mexican

Seafood Restaurant – Hortas

Vietnamese Restaurant – Miss Viet Kitchen

Steak Restaurant – Mayura Station’s The Tasting Room

Venue Caterer – Quality Events – Adelaide Zoo

Tourism Restaurant – Paulett Wines & Bush DeVine Cafe

Wine Bar/Brewery & Boutique Spirits – Arthur Waterhouse Lounge & Bar

Specialty Restaurant – Red Ochre Gill

Caterer of the Year – Quality Events – Adelaide Zoo

Casual Dining of the Year – My Kingdom for a Horse

Restaurant of the Year: Musque Food & Wine

We can’t wait to attend the event next year, as it was certainly one to remember.

Words by Tomika Salerno