Four Townsville restaurants secure coveted award

Townsville’s reputation as a foodie’s mecca continues, with some of the city’s most popular restaurants awarded the prestigious Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat.

Townsville’s reputation as a foodie’s mecca continues, with some of the city’s most popular restaurants awarded the prestigious Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat.

The achievement was announced last week after food critics travelled around the country last year to anonymously judge a wide range of restaurants.

Matte Black Violet, A Touch of Salt, JAM Restaurant and Bridgewater earned the coveted Chef Hat.

Matt Merrin, of JAM and Bridgewater fame, says the city had well and truly earned its position as being one of Australia’s premier foodie destinations.

“I can’t think of any region in Australia that has four Chef Hatted restaurants,” he says.

“Townsville has one of the strongest-quality regional food scenes around the country, having a strong and reputable restaurant scene is great for locals and offers tourists a perfect opportunity to savour some beautiful local produce.

“Food tourism is one of the strongest growing markets, it would be good to see it promoted and see “Townsville Food Scene Shines.”

The four Townsville restaurants to achieve the Chef Hats are among only a select few restaurants across North Queensland to receive the acknowledgment.

Mr Merrin says it’s a big chef accolade to be awarded a Chef Hat.

Local restaurant scores top gong

JAM Restaurant has now received a total of nine AGFG Chef Hat Awards, every year between 2013 to 2021.

Bridgewater Townsville has just received its second AGFG Chef Hat Award, another achievement given the restaurant is only two years old.

Mr Merrin says the past year has been extremely challenging for the industry.

“COVID has put a huge strain on our industry, like many others,” he says. “Restaurants around the country tend to adapt very quickly to the ever changing conditions, with the tight margins we work with you have to be adaptable.

“On a positive note, the relationship between the restaurant and guests have evolved. Guests are booking in advance.”

One of the dishes available at Matte Black Violet

Mr Merrin admits the challenges of COVID will continue for some time.

“Although we are very lucky to be in Australia away from the rest of the world and also have a government willing to support our small businesses to maintain our amazing team,” he says.

“We are also lucky that the Townsville foodie community does get behind our local restaurants.

“We love our regular diners and really appreciate the support they have shown us throughout 2020.”

And Mr Merrin says he has big plans for this year.

“We are recommencing our dinners and events,” he says. “Bridgewater on Sunday, February 21, has a beautify luncheon planned with Dog Point Winery, on of New Zealand’s top boutique vineyards.

“We have had feedback from our guests about wanting to enjoy Sunday breakfast at JAM once again, now the easing of restrictions continue we will look at bringing Sundays back from mid-February.”

Originally published as Four Townsville restaurants secure coveted award