The Age Melbourne Food Guide 2008 awards were announced today.
Melbourne is arguably the food capital of Australia (although this was severely contested by the Australian Gourmet Travellers lack of awards given to Melbourne restaurants this year.)
So it is with great anticipation that the winners were announced in The Age today:
VITTORIA RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Rockpool Bar & Grill
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
The Press Club
CHEF OF THE YEAR
George Calombaris, The Press Club
THE AGE YOUNG CHEF OF THE YEAR
Adam D’Sylva, Pearl
DISH OF THE YEAR
Confit apple with burnt butter icecream, Three, One, Two
KEMENYS WINE LIST OF THE YEAR
Circa, the Prince
BEST SHORT WINE LIST
Bar Lourinha
SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR
Dan Sims, Fifteen
SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD
Ari Vlassopoulos, manager Pearl
PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD
Ronnie di Stasio, Cafe di Stasio
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Jacques Reymond, Jacques Reymond
BEST WEBSITE
Gingerboy
No word yet on who won country restaurant of the year but it was also interesting to note that a dessert has won dish of the year.
Two new awards added this year include Sommelier of the Year and best Website.
