Country restaurants win accolades

RURAL Ipswich and the Scenic Rim are the home of two of Queensland's finest restaurants.

Spices Hidden Vale has received a Best Restaurant award at the 2011 Savour Australia Restaurant and Catering Awards for the south-east. Picture: Contributed

RURAL Ipswich and the Scenic Rim are the home of two of Queensland's finest restaurants.

The restaurants of Spicers Hidden Vale, in Grandchester, and Spicers Peak Lodge in Maryvale were both recognised with Best Restaurant awards at the 2011 Savour Australia Restaurant and Catering Awards for the south-east.

Cotton's Restaurant the Grandchester Hotel was awarded Best Restaurant in a Hotel/Motel/Resort for the Brisbane and Darling Downs region, while the Spicers Peak Lodge Restaurant was named Restaurant of the Year in the Darling Downs region.

Spicers Retreats CEO Danielle Duell said the quality of their restaurants had become a priority for the hotel company.

"We are very proud of these awards, which are a result of the hard work of our talented chefs, restaurant wait and bar team members," she said.

"Spicers prides itself not only on its unique destinations and luxury accommodation, but also on high-quality in-house restaurants which have become destinations in themselves."

Cotton's Restaurant head chef Chris Jones said the secret to the restaurant's success was the quality of local produce.

"The abundant local produce of the region enables our team to create fresh, simple, well-balanced food that is seasonal, colourful, tasteful and innovative," he said.

Spicers Peak Lodge Restaurant executive chef Frank Meijer said he was proud the restaurant was recognised with the award.

"Dining at Spicers Peak Lodge Restaurant appeals to all five senses, with absolutely beautiful views across the mountain range, the cosy ambience of a log fire, the smell of something delightful being prepared in the kitchen, some moody jazz or the slight touch of an aromatic oil burning, not to mention a culinary taste sensation," he said.

"Our team aims to provide an unforgettable experience throughout the whole retreat, including in the restaurant, so we are thrilled to add such as prestigious award to our award portfolio."

Also nominated in the awards was Gatton's Staging Post Cafe, which was pipped at the post in the Best Cafe Restaurant category by Kingaroy's Accents Restaurant and Cafe.

The new Brookwater location of the previous award-winning Drift was beaten in Best New Restaurant by Sake in Brisbane's Eagle St Pier.

Originally published as Country restaurants win accolades