2023 Darwin International Laksa Festival winners revealed

A Darwin city eatery has again been crowned the coveted Golden Bowl in this year’s International Laksa Festival. SEE THE LIST OF WINNERS.

(L-R) Lien Vu, Grace Murphy and Sonny Tran were Chow’s winning team in the 2021 Darwin International Laksa Festival. The Waterfront eatery has won the top gong again in this year’s awards. Picture: Glenn Campbell

A Waterfront favourite has again been crowned the highly anticipated Golden Bowl winner in this year’s Darwin International Laksa Festival.

Chow! took out the top gong at the festival finale’s awards ceremony on Sunday evening, beating 10 other finalists, while the regional best laksa went to Thai De Cuisine in Alice Springs.

It comes after a record-breaking number of dishes and venues took part in the month-long festival, with more than 120 laksa and laksa-inspired dishes from 90 different venues.

Celebrity chef Khanh Ong and MC Amy Hetherington at the 2023 Darwin International Laksa Festival. Picture: Annabel Bowles

People’s Choice awards went to KOPI Stop and 168 Food Bar in the regional category – a second win for the Katherine eatery – while a ‘lucky laksa pizza’ from Gorge Bush Retreat and Darwin Sailing Club’s laksa-inspired mango crepe with housemade ice cream came out on top in the creative inspired-by category.

Almost 1800 players took part in the inaugural Laksa League game, tasting and rating dishes to earn points.

A participant by the username of jleight climbed to the top of the ladder after tasting more than 100 dishes from 99 different venues.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the annual festival continued to be “a hit among Territorians and visitors”.

“Congratulations to CHOW! for winning the Golden Bowl. To the other winners and contenders, thank you for putting on a feast for the senses,” she said.

“The Laksa Festival not only supports local business, it encourages Territorians to continue visiting our food outlets while also exploring parts of the Territory.

“October is usually one of our quieter times of year, that’s why it’s important that we have events like this running.”

Winner of the Laksa Eating Competition Lilly Du at the 2023 Darwin International Laksa Festival finale. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Sheona and Scott Bugbird at the 2023 Darwin International Laksa Festival finale. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Sean Holmes, Andy Cope and James Dodd at the 2023 Darwin International Laksa Festival finale. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Lisa Thomason, Louise Cull and Christine Mansfield at the 2023 Darwin International Laksa Festival finale. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Billie and Leena Clark at the 2023 Darwin International Laksa Festival finale. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Michael Petrelis and Leo Cleanthous at the 2023 Darwin International Laksa Festival finale. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Meiya Ferguson and Mihaela Tim at the 2023 Darwin International Laksa Festival finale. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Chris Renehan, Jacqui Duboulay and Josh Page at the 2023 Darwin International Laksa Festival finale. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Tiarna Coogan and Bonnie McCabe at the 2023 Darwin International Laksa Festival finale. Picture: Annabel Bowles

The 2023 Darwin International Laksa Festival finale. Picture: Annabel Bowles