Qld’s finest restaurants, bars and cafes battle it out in annual Courier-Mail food awards
It opened to applause earlier this year and now Brisbane’s Arc Dining will be fighting it out for the title of Courier-Mail Restaurant of the Year tonight
QUEENSLAND’S finest restaurants, bars and cafes will fight it out tonight to be crowned the state’s best at the annual Courier-Mail Food Awards.
Judged by the newspaper’s team of reviewers, the gongs celebrate the superstars of the hospitality industry with trophies for Restaurant, Chef, Regional Restaurant, Cafe, Bar, Service, Wine List and Icon of the Year.
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One of the finalists for Restaurant of the Year is Brisbane’s casual yet up-market Arc Dining at Howard Smith Wharves, which opened in February to both public and critical acclaim under head chef Alanna Sapwell.
“It’s a team effort,” said Ms Sapwell, who moved back to her home state after working at fish eatery Saint Peter in Sydney, which last year won Australian Restaurant of the Year.
“I think that’s what I’ve enjoyed the most is putting that team together and being able to put out the food we have.”
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The food is progressive and innovative fare, giving local diners something fresh and pushing the industry into the future, with dishes such as goose prosciutto with persimmon and crab and periwinkle pasta.
“As much as it is that high end place, I didn’t want it to be only for special occasions,” Ms Sapwell said.
“It's food that tastes good but doesn’t feel overly indulgent and we’re supporting ethically raised animals so it’s feel good all around.”
The awards are part of the Courier-Mail’s celebration of Food Month, showcasing the innovative, inspiring and mouth-watering food, wine and beer emerging from Queensland’s $20 billion food and agriculture industries.
The celebration recognises the state’s food exports, ranging from meat and livestock to fruit, nuts, sugar cane and cotton, has never been more valuable.
Government figures show more than 88 per cent of Queensland is used for agricultural production — the largest area of agricultural land in any Australian state. The winners of the Courier-Mail Food Awards will be published in Queensland Taste in tomorrow’s Courier-Mail.
Originally published as Qld’s finest restaurants, bars and cafes battle it out in annual Courier-Mail food awards