Little Truffle at Mermaid Beach takes out Queensland Restaurant and Catering Association award

IT started out as a ‘destination restaurant’ off the well-trodden dining hubs of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. But the risk has paid off for this eatery.

Little Truffle has been named the best European restaurant in the state.

WHEN Daniel Ridegway first opened ‘Little Truffle’ seven years ago he admits it was a battle to get people to drive past Broadbeach and Surfers to take a punt on his new restaurant at Mermaid Beach.

But after winning the Queensland Restaurant and Catering Association’s award for the best European Restaurant in the state recently, the 36-year-old says success is all down to the enthusiasm of his staff.

“It’s been a hard, long road,” he said.

Chef/owner Daniel Ridgeway and his partner Ruggie Ridgeway celebrate their win. Photo: Richard Gosling

“We were classed as a ‘destination restaurant ... because we weren’t in one of the hubs.

“As far as how we do it, it’s just constant, constant long hours, striving for perfection and no compromising.

“It just comes down to consistency.”

The Mermaid Beach restaurant was also voted the city’s best fine dining restaurant in 2015 in the Gold Coast Bulletin’s Best of the Gold Coast series, which is voted by locals.

Inside Little Truffle at Mermaid Beach.

The chef and his wife Ruggie now own seven hospitality businesses on the Gold Coast but Mr Ridgeway says Little Truffle holds a special place in his heart.

The chef said he was happy how his restaurant had helped to build up a new hospitality culture in Mermaid Beach that competes with the Coast’s main entertainment precincts.

Among other Gold Coast winners at the industry awards recently were Glass Dining & Lounge Bar at Main Beach, Donto Sapporo Japanese Restaurant at Broadbeach, Loose Moose Tap and Grill House at Broadbeach, Indian Empire at Runaway Bay, California Cantina at Isle of Capri, Shuck at Main Beach and Progressive Catering at Southport.