Chef is plating up success

HOTEL Canberra chef Jigs Liwanag has been named a finalist in the Golden Plate regional Victorian hospitality awards.

Next month, Liwanag will take part in a two-course mystery box cook-off to contest the Chef of the Year honour at Comcater in Melbourne.

The chef, who creates all the food for Hotel Canberra’s Vesta x Jigs restaurant and Stables Cafe and Bar, was told he’d made the finalists group last week, having run the hotel for just-on two years with his husband Pete Dillon and brother-in-law Paul Dillon.

Liwanag said he was “gobsmacked.”

“I love my craft and I get up every day to do what it is I love to do – to make people happy through food,” he said.

“To be a finalist in this award, selected as one of eight from across regional Victoria, is beyond any expectation.

“It’s a considerable milestone to be recognised as one of Ballarat’s emerging chefs.

“Being considered one of regional Victoria’s best is mind-boggling. It is a wonderful recognition of our passion for what we do, and the joy we receive from celebrating 100 per cent Victorian growers, farmers, and makers.”

From the Golden Plate Chef of the Year finalists, one will win the Peter Watson Best Chef trophy at the cook-off based on technical ability, creativity, flavour and balance, alongside $1000 provided by Warral Maldon. Fifty-two chefs entered the awards.

Hotel Canberra was one of three Power FM SME Business Award finalists celebrated two weeks ago at the Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards.

In 2023, the venue won the Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre Restaurants, Cafes and Pubs Business Award.