Electrolux Appetite for Excellence Awards 2015
The Electrolux Appetite for Excellence Awards for 2105 were announced last night at Salts Meats Cheese in Alexandria. The event also marked ten years of the program which celebrates young talent and the future of the industry.
L-R*: Jake Kellie, Chris Thornton, Bianca Welsh & Brooke Adey
The 2015 Electrolux Appetite for Excellence winners are:
Electrolux Australian Young Waiter 2015
Winner: Brooke Adey – Bentley Restaurant & Bar, New South Wales
Runner Up: Louise Naimo – Estelle Bistro, Victoria
Highly Commended: Nikki Friedli – Africola, South Australia
Electrolux People’s Choice: Elizabeth Thomas – Supernormal, Victoria
Electrolux Australian Young Chef 2015
Winner: Jake Kellie – Estelle Bistro, Victoria
Runner Up: Aaron Starling – Bistro Guillaume, Victoria
Highly Commended: Matt Binney – Merricote, Victoria
Electrolux People’s Choice: Matt Binney – Merricote, Victoria
Electrolux Australian Young Restaurateur 2015
Dual winner: Bianca Welsh from Stillwater Restaurant & Black cow bistro in Launceston, TAS
Chris Thornton from Restaurant Mason, Newcastle NSW
Judges this year included Luke Mangan, Ross Lusted, Nick Hildebrandt, James Viles, Simon Denton and Lyndey Milan.
The Electrolux Appetite for Excellence Awards were held on Monday 10 August 2015.
Electrolux Appetite for Excellence Dinner of the Decade
To mark 10 years of Electrolux Appetite for Excellence, a celebratory dinner was held on Sunday 9 August at Mojo by Luke Mangan.
Dinner of the Decade
Dinner of the Decade featured 9 chefs and 9 waiters in a unique style dinner where each table had a separate chef and waiter with a separate menu and beverage matching. Ours was with Chef Mel Gower from Adelaide Festival Theatre with beverages matched by Jai Leighton, Beverage Manager at Jupiters Hotel and Casino.
Aperitif
To start the evening, an aperitif of Seppeltsfield Solero DP116 Aged Flor Apera, Four Pillars Gin and San Pellegrino Limonata garnished with Oxalis was served. This was dry and refreshing with the Limonata providing a hint of citrus and the gin in the background.
Vichyssoise with Crisp Prosciutto
The Amuse Bouche of Vichyssoise with a touch of truffle oil and Crisp Prosciutto was warm, flavoursome and creamy on the palate.
Lobster with Gazpacho Salsa and Saffron Aioli
Entree of Lobster with Gazpacho Salsa and Saffron Aioli was a fresh taste of the sea with the southern rock lobster meat being prepared sashimi style atop the fine gazpacho salsa.
The three accompanying drinks aimed to cover diners’ preferred drinking styles. The San Pellegrino Limonata was strong in citrus, the Coopers Clear lager was crisp and fresh and worked well with the lobster while the 2014 Henschke Julius Riesling delivered citrus and minerality.
Duck a L’Orange
Duck a L’Orange consisted of a rectangle of duck meat cooked in duck fat with freeze dried orange, duck liver pate cigar and slices of tender duck breast. The dish was full on flavour with the orange providing a background sweetness that enhances the meat.
Pairings included the San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa made from Italian blood oranges, the Blue Moon Belgian White Beer which provided a good profile match and the 2012 Henschke Pinot Noir, being medium bodied with cherry and dark berry notes.
Gateau du Dixieme Anniversaire
Gateau du Dixieme Anniversaire was a decadent dessert with different layers from smooth chocolate to a crunchy base with fresh raspberries and hazelnut crunch.
The pairing of Chandon Brut Rosé accentuated the dessert while the Rekorderlig Wild Berries Cider was for those with a sweet tooth. Post dessert, Haigh’s Hot Chocolate was served topped with cinnamon.
Chefs and Waiters
Dinner of the Decade was held on Sunday 9 August 2015 at Mojo by Luke Mangan.
* Lead Photo Credit: Belinda Rolland, used with permission. Other Photos © by Kevin Burke for Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.
