delicious.100: Geelong fine diner Igni crowned No. 1 on list of Victoria’s top 100 restaurants

PLAYING with fire has paid off for a local chef who has been awarded the No. 1 spot in the delicious.100, the only food guide to rank Victoria’s top 100 restaurants. SEE THE FULL LIST

Igni owner and chef Aaron Turner. Picture: Rebecca Michael

PLAYING with fire has paid off for chef Aaron Turner.

His Geelong fine diner, Igni, has been awarded the No. 1 spot in the second annual delicious.100, the only food guide to rank Victoria’s top 100 restaurants.

Mr Turner’s fire-fuelled, multi-course menus served in the back blocks of Geelong have put the town on the culinary map.

“It’s such a nice recognition,” he said. “It’s crazy to think we have ­almost been open for two years.

“When we started, we didn’t think we would be the restaurant we are, and to be as well received as we have been, we feel very lucky.”

The list was compiled by the Sunday Herald Sun’s three food reviewers — Dan Stock, Megan Miller and Simon Plant — who travelled about 12,000km to eat hundreds of dishes at more than 200 venues across the state.

Aaron Turner at Igni. Picture: Mark Stewart

Each restaurant was judged on its food, drinks, and service, as well as value for money, fun factor, and the all-important “would you recommend it to a friend?” test.

A quarter of this year’s list can be found in regional areas, and there are 31 new entries from wine bars to ­family-friendly options.

Dan Hunter’s Brae in Birregurra took out the list’s second spot, making it a one-two win for regional Victoria and highlighting that excellent dining can be found outside the CBD in 2017.

delicious.100 not only celebrates the best premium experiences, but those that offer bang for your buck and are perfect for less formal occasions.

Buttermilk custard, kiwi, and red cabbage at Igni. Picture: Rebecca Michael

Potato, yolk and pipi at Igni. Picture: Rebecca Michael

Aaron Turner at Igni. Picture: Mark Stewart

Modern Vietnamese/Australian restaurant Anchovy in Richmond won the award for best value. Chef-owner Thi Le said she wanted to create an accessible, keenly-priced neighbourhood restaurant.

“But we still want to deliver something awesome,” she said.

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy what we’re enjoying.”

With the influx of new entries, competition across this year’s rankings was fierce. Some restaurants made big strides, including Collingwood’s Saint Crispin from No. 73 to 31 and the biggest mover Ides, also in Collingwood, which rocketed 57 places to No. 30.

Ben Shewry’s Attica took out the gong for best service. Picture: Ellen Smith

Last year’s No. 1 Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, however, fell to eighth place, reflecting the difficulties of running a huge restaurant at the highest levels.

Ben Shewry at Attica, which took out the gong for best service, this year implemented an innovative four-day working week for his kitchen staff to counter burnout and increase retention in a notoriously tough environment.

It’s one example of the creative solutions operators are applying to address a severe skills shortage across the industry.

Burrata at Bar Liberty in Fitzroy. Picture: Supplied

Banjo Harris-Plane from Bar Liberty in Fitzroy, which took out the award for best drinks list, said the team simply set out to create a place that they’d like to hang out in.

“Somewhere with interesting wine at an affordable price, great drinks and tasty food. It seems other people are looking for that, too,” he said.

Kerrie McCallum, delicious. editor-in-chief, said the list should satisfy those hungry to seek out the state’s tastiest dining spots.

“Deliciousness is a more modern way to rate things than just ‘best’. Dining out is not just for the elite. Every Australian should be able to experience our thriving restaurant scene,” she said.

— Did our experts get it right? Vote for your favourite venue in the People’s Choice Award at heraldsun.com.au/delicious100