Cairns dining: Cairns and Port Douglas restaurants clean up at excellence awards

The top restaurants, chefs and caterers in Far North Queensland have been crowned. Did your favourite make the cut? SEE THE FULL LIST

The top restaurants in Far North Queensland have been crowned after a flash awards night in Cairns.

The annual North Queensland and Northern Territory restaurant and catering awards for excellence were held at a gala event in Cairns on Thursday night, and Port Douglas was a clear winner with venues taking home some of the most prestigious categories.

The iconic Salsa Bar and Grill was again named the best contemporary Australian restaurant and continues to enhance its reputation as one of the country’s most loved dining venues.

Salsa Bar and Grill co-owners Bill Conway and Rhys Bawden, who was also honoured with a lifetime achievement award. Pic: Gizelle Ghidella.

Co-owner, Rhys Bawden, was also acknowledged with a lifetime award for his contribution to both the tourism and hospitality industries.

Fellow Wharf Street restaurant Seabean Tapas Bar received the gong for best speciality restaurant, with it’s Spanish inspired delights winning over the judges on its very first nomination for the honour.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FULL WINNERS LIST

Co-owner Henry Johnston said the award was a testament to the hard work of his partner Lesley and his head chef Damien Burke.

“It’s a dream come true,” he said.

“It’s been a real honour to be a part of the awards, let alone to be a winner.

“Our staff are critical to not just the smooth running and service given, but also to the Seabean vibe.”

The eatery prides itself on a fun, social and friendly atmosphere.

More than 50 restaurants, cafes and catering businesses gathered to celebrate the achievements of their peers at the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino, who were judged in over 15 categories.

The excellence awards are a nationally recognised, independently judged program that celebrates exceptional service and culinary talent across Queensland.

They are finalised by an independent team of trained judges who anonymously visit the venues to determine the winners, with the scores based on the entire dining experience, from food to the customer service.

FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS

CC's Bar and Grill by Crystalbrook was named best restaurant. Picture: Kendall Hill

ASIAN RESTAURANT

WINNER:

Temple of Tastes Restaurant – Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort & Spa, Palm Cove

FINALISTS:

Bayleaf Balinese Restaurant, Cairns

Miss Songs Asian Kitchen – The Ville Resort-Casino, Townsville

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT – FAR NORTH QUEESLAND

WINNER:

Guyala Café, Cairns

FINALISTS:

La Pizza Trattoria, Cairns

Mooz Gelato & Juice Bar, Cairns

The Chambers, Cairns

Wild Thyme Restaurant, Cairns

CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT – INFORMAL – NORTH QUEENSLAND

WINNER

Salsa Bar & Grill, Port Douglas

FINALISTS:

Salt House, Cairns

Zinc, Port Douglas

JAM Restaurant, Townsville

Melaleuca, Port Douglas

Ochre Restaurant & Catering, Cairns

CAFÉ DINING

WINNER:

Cbar Restaurant and Bar, Townsville

FINALISTS:

Caffiend, Cairns

Guyala Café, Cairns

Mooz Gelato & Juice Bar, Cairns

The Chambers, Cairns

CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT – FORMAL

WINNER:

Bridgewater Q, Townsville

FINALISTS:

Vivaldis Restaurant, Cairns

FAMILY DINING

WINNER:

Wild Thyme Restaurant, Cairns

FINALISTS:

Club Croc Bistro – Mantra Club Croc, Cannonvale

Keppel Sands Ko-Op, Keppel Sands

Star Graze – Cowboys Leagues Club, Townsville

The Surfy, Port Douglas

ITALIAN RESTAURANT

WINNER:

Il Chiosco, Trinity Beach

FINALISTS:

Bella Darwin, Darwin

La Pizza Trattoria, Cairns

L’unico Trattoria, Trinity Beach

Ollie’s Italian Steakhouse, Cairns

Piccolo Cucina, Cairns

Vitalia’s Italian Restaurant, Cairns

RESTAURANT IN A HOTEL/RESORT

WINNER:

CC’s Bar and Grill by Crystalbrook, Cairns

FINALISTS:

Harrisons Restaurant – Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

Tamarind @ Pullman Reef Hotel Casino, Cairns

RESTAURANT IN A PUB/CLUB

WINNER:
Match Restaurant & Grill – Cowboys Leagues Club, Townsville

FINALISTS:

Clover Restaurant – Brothers Leagues Club, Innisfail

N17 Burger Co, Port Douglas

The Yachty – Port Douglas Yacht Club, Port Douglas

SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

WINNER:

Tha Fish, Cairns

FINALISTS:

Dundee’s Restaurant on the Waterfront, Cairns

Wrasse & Roe, Port Douglas

SPECIALTY RESTAURANT

WINNER:

Seabean Tapas Bar and Restaurant, Port Douglas

FINALISTS:

Masala Indian Cuisine, Townsville

Moku – Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, Cairns

Piato Mediterranean Cuisine, Cairns

Waterbar & Grill, Cairns

EVENTS CATERER

WINNER:

Chriso The Personal Chef, Hollowayds Beach

FINALISTS:

Coral Coast Catering, Cairns

Michel’s Catering and Events, Stuart

Ochre Restaurant and Catering, Cairns

SITE/INDUSTRIAL CATERER

WINNER:

Civeo Village, Moranbah

FINALISTS:

Civeo Village, NEBO

CONSUMER VOTE AWARD

WINNER: Phat Mango, Darwin

FINALISTS:

Salsa Bar & Grill, Port Douglas

Club Croc Bistro – Mantra Club Croc, Cannonvale

APPRENTICE CHEF OF THE YEAR

HONOURABLE MENTION:

Sophie-Marie Berger – The Chamber

CHEF OF THE YEAR

WINNER:

Chris Jarvis – The Chambers

FINALISTS:

Jamison Diamini – Waterbar & Grill

Ramiro Bonino – Ollie’s Italian Steakhouse

FOOD AND BEVERAGE/FRONT OF HOUSE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

WINNER:

Taiya Steineck – The Chambers

FINALIST:

Anna Winks – JAM Restaurant

MANAGER/SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR

WINNER:

Catherine Pacey – Wild Thyme Restaurant
FINALISTS:

David Saloukvadze – The Chambers

Hui Hyeon Ahn – The Chambers

Loretta O’Leary – Michel’s Catering & Events

Mateus Robim De Figueiredo Silva – Ollie’s Italian Steakhouse

Miroslav Bazant – Bayleaf Balinese Restaurant

Samantha George – Bridgewater Q

Thomas Zerbinotto – Piccolo Cucina

LIFETIME ACHIEVER

AWARDED TO: Rhys Bawden, Salsa Bar and Grill, Port Douglas

CATERER OF THE YEAR

WINNER:

Chriso The Personal Chef, Holloways Beach

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

WINNER:

CC’s Bar and Grill by Crystalbrook, Cairns

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Originally published as Cairns dining: Cairns and Port Douglas restaurants clean up at excellence awards