Victoria, these are the restaurants and chefs that took home a gong for the state overnight at the 2024 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards, held at Sydney’s Brasserie 1930, accounting for a third of the evening’s accolades.
Headlining a strong evening for Victoria was Vue de Monde’s Hugh Allen, who was crowned Gourmet Traveller’s Chef of the Year, the only peer-voted award of the evening.
“I think for all of us in hospitality, awards and accolades are a bonus, but not the reason why we work in this great industry,” said Allen. “However, since this award is voted on by some amazing, talented chefs and professionals who I look up to and admire, it certainly carries extra weight. I know I’m the mascot at the restaurant, but this award should be equally shared among the 50-plus employees at Vue.”
Elsewhere, Hannah Green’s perennial favourite Etta took out Victoria’s Restaurant of the Year on the strength of Rosheen Kaul’s inventive modern Australian menu, while Birregurra stalwart Brae proved popular with the magazine’s readership, winning the Readers’ Choice Icon Award. Ross Magnaye’s flame-powered Filipino diner Serai was named the nation’s Best New Restaurant, capping another strong year for Victorian dining.
“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,” says editor Joanna Hunkin.
Brisbane’s Agnes was named Restaurant of the Year, just the second time a Queensland restaurant has taken out the top prize in the awards’ 43-year history.
Congratulations to all of the winners, a truly delicious bunch.
By Frank Sweet
Check out the full list of winners at gourmettraveller.com.au