Iconic restaurant closes

The Prime Minister only ate there last month, but Noosa’s iconic Berardo’s Restaurant has now closed its doors.
A media statement from the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival founder and restaurant owner Jim Berardo confirmed the Noosa Food and Wine Events Pty had appointed a voluntary administrator and closed its doors as of Saturday, 30 May.
“I have worked hard and long, at great personal expense, to resolve all financial issues facing the company and consulted professional advisors,” Mr Berardo said.
Berardo’s Restaurant and Bar has been operating for 16 years and enjoyed incredible success both in culinary terms with some of the most renowned and awarded chefs and exceptional wait staff.
The Hastings Street restaurant had showcased some of the world’s top entertainers and performers.
It also hosted Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss for lunch in April.
“It has been my great pleasure in participating fully in the excellent culinary and cultural scene that Noosa and the region is now known for around the world,” Mr Berardo said.
Mr Berardo said he plans to continue the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival in 2016.
“(The festival) has grown from 100 to nearly 35,000 attendees annually. It is now recognised as Australia’s most prestigious food, wine and lifestyle event,” he said.
“(This year it) enjoyed nearly 40 per cent of the visitors from interstate and overseas locations.
“The economic impact and media coverage generated for the region has been outstanding.
“A key component of the festival is the promotion of our local producers to the nation and the world.
“The festival has also contributed strongly to local employment.”
Mr Berardo said rain had a negative impact on the festival and resulted in severe revenue problems.
“This, coupled with a lethargic economy, which made sponsorship and discretionary spending extremely challenging, necessitated the unfortunate action I am now taking,” he said.
“Although event ticket pre-sales were very positive and up on previous years, the impact of wet weather at the event meant gate ticket sales and festival spending were dramatically reduced, resulting in losses.”
Other contributing factors such as infrastructure costs rising by approximately 20 per cent meant the company did not pass on these increased costs to the consumer and the costs were absorbed by the company, Mr Berardo said.
According to the media statement, government and corporate sponsorship funding remained unchanged over the last three years despite increasing costs.
“My deep gratitude is extended to all of those contributors to the festival and for some of you I will need to work closely with the administrator to resolve the situation,” he said.
“I would also like to thank all of those who support the festival, the many producers, restaurants, sponsors, volunteers, tourism staff who provide their invaluable support.
“I have every confidence, with the assistance of local and state governments and the key partners, that the festival will continue in 2016 and will be better than ever.
“My most sincere thanks and feelings go to our staff who worked very hard and gave it their all, and are as committed to the restaurant and the NIFW as I am.
“For that, I am sincerely grateful.
“I, most importantly, thank our loyal patrons and friends who have supported Berardo’s restaurant and bar and the NIFW over the years.”
Berardo’s Bistro on the Beach is not affected by the closure of Food and Wine Events Pty and will continue to operate as usual.