Stillwater co-owner Bianca Welsh joint winner of Young Restaurateur of the Year Award

TASMANIAN restaurateur Bianca Welsh has jointly won a coveted national industry award.

TASWEEKEND GRILL. Bianca Welsh, part owner and manager of Stillwater restaurant Launceston.

TASMANIAN restaurateur Bianca Welsh has overcome stiff national competition to jointly win the Electrolux Appetite for Excellence Young Restaurateur of the Year Award.

Accepting the award in Sydney last night, 28-year-old Welsh co-owns and manages Launceston’s Stillwater Restaurant, Black Cow Bistro and Mill Providore.

Taking out first place alongside Chris Thornton, of Restaurant Mason in New South Wales, Welsh has won a share in $8000 and a trip to Asia.

“It’s really quite overwhelming and surreal,” Ms Welsh said.

“I was up against some incredible young people.”

A part-time psychology student, Welsh successfully completed a written application for the competition and was flown to Sydney to face an interview with a panel of industry professionals.

Panellists included acclaimed chef and food-writer Christine Manfield and Matt Moran’s ARIA restaurant co-owner Peter Sullivan.

“I was prepared for a grilling, but the interview was quite informal,” Ms Welsh said.

Competing against hospitality staff from across Australia, Welsh used the experience as an opportunity to promote the value of Tasmanian produce.

“There’s a real buzz around Tasmania at the moment and other competitors said they were jealous that we have so much on offer here,” Ms Welsh said.

Ms Welsh joins Young Chef Category entrant Jake Kellie, from Estelle Bistro in Victoria, and Young Waitress entrant Brooke Adey, from Bentley Restaurant & Bar in New South Wales, as winners at the awards.

For a full list of finalists, visit http://www.appetiteforexcellence.com/