The Agrarian Kitchen Restaurant in New Norfolk, Tasmania made history as it was named Restaurant of the Year, becoming the first Tasmanian restaurant to claim the prestigious national title in the award’s 45-year history. Owner-chef Rodney Dunn accepted the award at the glittering gala event at Catalina in Sydney, alongside his wife and business partner Séverine Demanet and head chef Stephen Peak. Toasted by the country’s leading chefs and restaurant personalities, the trio celebrated a milestone that has been more than a decade in the making.
Presenting the award to Dunn, Gourmet Traveller editor Joanna Hunkin said: “The Agrarian Kitchen has followed a remarkable trajectory – from a small farm and cooking school in the Derwent Valley to what is now a global dining destination. The work Rodney and Séverine have put into transforming the property and its gardens, and establishing a truly sustainable food system, is extraordinary. Tonight’s honour recognises that thoughtfulness and commitment and is testament to the fact that good things take time.”
Congratulations to all winners in this year’s Gourmet Traveller Annual Restaurant Awards.
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR | The Agrarian Kitchen, New Norfolk, Tasmania
The Agrarian Kitchen Restaurant, Restaurant of the Year (Photo: Alicia Taylor)
Also celebrating a major milestone, Australian culinary hero Alla Wolf-Tasker accepted the Readers’ Choice Icon Award for her regional Victorian restaurant Lake House, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this weekend. Introduced last year, the Icon Award is the only award voted for by the public.
“What Alla and her family created at Lake House has really established the archetype for Australian regional dining that continues to inspire and inform chefs and restaurateurs across the country. Alla’s vision and hospitality has been shaping the industry for 40 years – and welcoming diners with warmth and care has been the Lake House signature since day one,” said Hunkin.
Other highlights of the night included Sydney-based chef Pasi Petänen (Cafe Paci) being named Chef of the Year, in the night’s only peer-voted award, as well as claiming NSW’s State Winner prize. Also in NSW, Sydney’s King Clarence was named Best New Restaurant.
From Adelaide, The Ayubi Family of Parwana Afghan Kitchen received the Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality honour, while Maxwell Restaurant in McLaren Vale was named SA’s State Winner.
Chef Mischa Tropp was named Best New Talent following the launch of his debut restaurant Toddy Shop in Melbourne’s Fitzroy, where he celebrates the flavours of Kerala inspired by his mother’s traditional recipes.
Also in Victoria, Chauncy was named Best Destination Dining, while Vue de Monde took top honours as this year’s State Winner.
Brisbane chef Sarah Baldwin, who owns and operates Joy, was named Restaurant Personality of the Year for her unique and personal approach to running the tiny 10-seat restaurant, while Restaurant Labart in Burleigh Heads was crowned Queensland’s State Winner.
In Western Australia, Bussleton’s South West Wine Shop claimed the title of Wine Bar of the Year, with Perth’s Casa named State Winner.
Josh Niland, Alla Wolf-Tasker, Peter Gilmore and Kylie Kwong were among the top chefs to attend the event, which is the country’s only national restaurant awards.
Among the biggest winners of the night, Gourmet Traveller awarded seven State Winners in the Restaurant of the Year category, reflecting the incredible calibre of dining in Australia this year.
State winners
- ACT: Pilot, Ainslie
- NSW: Cafe Paci, Newtown
- VIC: Vue de Monde, Melbourne
- QLD: Restaurant Labart, Burleigh Heads
- SA: Maxwell Restaurant, McLaren Vale
- TAS: The Agrarian Kitchen Restaurant, New Norfolk
- WA: Casa, Mount Hawthorn
The Winners
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR | The Agrarian Kitchen Restaurant, New Norfolk, TAS
CHEF OF THE YEAR | Pasi Petänen, Sydney, NSW
BEST NEW RESTAURANT | King Clarence, Sydney, NSW
BEST NEW TALENT | Mischa Tropp, Toddy Shop, Melbourne, VIC
BEST DESTINATION DINING | Chauncy, Heathcote, VIC
WINE BAR OF THE YEAR | South West Wine Shop, Busselton, WA
South West Wine Shop, Wine Bar of the Year.
RESTAURANT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR | Sarah Baldwin of Joy, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, QLD
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO HOSPITALITY | The Ayubi Family, Parwana Afghan Kitchen, SA
READERS’ CHOICE ICON AWARD | Lake House, Daylesford VIC
“The Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards recognise the incredible depth and diversity of Australia’s dining landscape and are always a highlight of the hospitality calendar,” adds Hunkin.
Full profiles of each of the winners, along with the Annual Restaurant Guide, feature in the September issue of Gourmet Traveller, on sale Monday 26 August, 2024.
The Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards are presented by S.Pellegrino, with support from Devil’s Corner, Lexus,Lurpak, Mutti, PorkStar and Riedel.
To see the full list of finalists in this year’s Gourmet Traveller Annual Restaurant Awards, head over here.
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