Simon Gloftis inundated with calls after Hellenika’s win at Food Awards

He’s not a singer, actor nor musician, but Simon Gloftis may have just become one of Queensland’s most in-demand identities overnight.

HE’S not a singer, actor nor musician, but restaurateur Simon Gloftis may have just become one of Queensland’s most famous identities overnight.

On Monday evening the hospitality guru took out The Courier-Mail ’s Restaurant of the Year award for his Fortitude Valley Greek taverna Hellenika at the Calile, and says his phone has not stopped ringing.

“My phone has blown up,” he says, with staff coming in early to handle the sheer volume of reservation requests.

Simon Gloftis celebrates Hellenika’s win in The Courier-Mail Food Awards this week. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“It’s been one of the biggest reactions to an award that I have ever had.”

But Gloftis is not the only one experiencing new found fame and adoration.

All the winners and finalists are reporting unbelievable support, with Chef of the Year Alanna Sapwell from Brisbane’s Arc Dining saying she’s been blown away by the response from industry friends from around Australia.

Queensland’s Chef of the Year Alanna Sapwell, from Arc Dining. Picture: Steve Pohlner/AAP

“A lot of hard work has gone into getting to this point. I think everyone is really happy to see it paying off,” she says.

While Regional Restaurant of the Year, Restaurant Labart at Burleigh Heads can’t believe the reaction.

“We’ve been inundated with messages and emails from locals who are so proud a Gold Coast restaurant won,” says co-owner Karla Munoz Labart.

Finalists for cafe of the year Freja’s at Wilston and The Shak Organics in Buderim have also received overwhelming support from customers and the public as a whole, with words of praise and even flowers being dropped off as a congratulations.

Originally published as Simon Gloftis inundated with calls after Hellenika’s win at Food Awards