Golden Plate Awards 2012

excellence in hospitality

Golden Plate Awards

2012 nominations now open

We would like to know which restaurants, hotels and cafes YOU think
should be part of the 2012 Golden Plate Awards.

Click here to make your nominations >

awards territory to expand in 2012

The Golden Plate Awards Territory in 2012 will cover the Geelong-Otway, Ballarat-Daylesford and Greater Bendigo Regions. There will be Regional Awards for the best restaurants and cafes in each of these Regions and Golden Plate State Awards for the Best venues in the three combined regions. Watch this space as the story of excellence in Regional Victoria unfolds.

Click here to find out how restaurants, hotels and cafes can take part»

Lydiard Wine Bar

BALLARAT - DAYLESFORD REGION

“The food is certainly of Fine Dining quality, using skills and imagination, and the use of the 19th century bank building adds some formality, too, but the menu and wine list - and the lounge area - is structured to enable casual eating of a very high standard. Lydiard Wine Bar is an exceptional place.”

SEE BALLARAT-DAYLESFORD WINNERS >>

Vue Grand Hotel

GEELONG-OTWAY REGION

“Find a reason to celebrate and head for the Vue Grand Hotel in Queenscliff. Perhaps a birthday, an anniversary or graduation, because this is the most celebratory of restaurants. The welcome is warm, the waiters informed but not intrusive,
the food exceptional.”

SEE GEELONG-OTWAY WINNERS >>

a snapshot of the Golden Plate Awards

The Golden Plate Awards recognise excellence in hospitality in Regional Victoria, and promote:
- a commitment to continuous improvement
- superior standards in the quality and presentation of foods, wines and beverages
-  the use and promotion of quality local produce
-  excellent customer service
-  good value for money
-  consistency in quality and service

The competing venues are judged without notice at least twice over several months (to check for consistency) by independent experts in hospitality headed up by "Industry Legend" Rita Erlich.

The rigorous scoring system covers up to 40 factors in up to eight areas:
-  food quality and presentation
-  wines and beers (licensed premises only)
-  customer service
-  value for money
-  ambience
-  coffee and tea
-  customer safety

Five categories of venue are covered:
-  Restaurants - Fine Dining
-  Restaurants -Relaxed Contemporary Dining
-  Restaurants -Casual Dining
-  Licensed Cafe
-  Unlicensed Cafes

There are three levels of Awards for venues:
-  Winners
-  Finalists
-  Recommended Venues

Any restaurant, hotel and cafe in the Ballarat-Daylesford, Geelong-Ottway and Greater Bendigo Region can take part if nominated by members of the public. Each Territory is judged separately, but in 2012 (for the first time) recognition will be given to the best venues in the three combined territories.

There are also Special Recognition Awards for Best Chef, Best Customer Service, Best Front of House Person, Best Value for Money, Best Coffee, Best Menu of Local Wines, Best Menu of Local Foods, Most Improved Venue, and a Peoples Choice Award determined by popular vote.

The competing venues receive confidential reports from the Judges after the first review (which identify opportunities to improve scores) and after the results are announced at gala dinners in each Award Territory in October or November. Highlights of the reports are published in this on-line guide along with photos, maps, contact details, availability of gluten-free options, price ranges, and other useful information.

Please enjoy the hospitality of Victoria at the many fine places to eat out covered in this guide.

2011 regional restaurant guide

restaurants, hotels and cafes in the Geelong-Ottway and Ballarat-Daylesford regions (Greater Bendigo coming soon)

more ...

local suppliers

local suppliers of foods, wines and hospitality services

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food stuff

news about the golden plate awards

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2012 Golden Plate Awards

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