Australia’s hottest young chefs, waiters and restaurateurs descended on Noosa’s Waterfront Restaurant on Sunday to cook and host at the Appetite for Excellence national hospitality awards.
The six chefs, seven waiters and four restaurateurs who are the national finalists took over the restaurant for the Noosa Hunt and Gather Lunch.
The menu is inspired by produce which the group unearthed during a recent culinary safari of Queensland’s most dynamic farmers, harvesters, fishers and winemakers.
Lunch goers were able to hear the stories behind the dishes, see the trends on their plates and experience first-hand what the next generation of young Aussie taste-makers have to offer.
The 17 national finalists are from restaurants including Bennelong (Sydney), Anchovy (Melbourne), Urbane (Brisbane) and St Hugo (Barossa). They have been selected by industry legends including Peter Gilmore, Luke Mangan, Christine Manfield, Ross Lusted, Sam Christie and Danielle Gjestland from Noosa’s Wasabi Restaurant and Bar.