Local eateries awarded chef hats

THE winners of the 2025 Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat Awards have been announced, with recipients in Geelong, the Surf Coast and Bellarine.

Chef Hats are awarded for an establishment’s food alone, with the objective of rewarding exceptional chefs.

On the Bellarine, Moonah Restaurant and Basils Farm were awarded Chef Hats, while Geelong recipients were Tulip Bar and Restaurant, Felix, Alma, Two Noble and Bistro Plume.

The Surf Coast was home to three winners: Brae, Samesyn 2.0 and Ipsos.

Basils Farm general manger Gary Anderson said the award was an incredible honour for the team and their suppliers.

“We’re extremely proud. It’s not something we ever sought for and the fact that it comes this way is just so good.

“This award is an incredible honour for our amazing team…whose unwavering dedication and passion for food and services make Basils Farm the destination that it is.”

Basils Farm uses produce from its garden in the kitchen and is supported by quality suppliers. Photo: ABBY PARDEW

Set on Swan Bay, Basils Farm uses ingredients fresh from its garden in the kitchen with the award re-enforcing the restaurant’s commitment to growing its own produce while being supported by quality suppliers.

Chef Hats are chosen by inspectors headhunted for their qualification and experience. They dine anonymously to ensure accuracy and unquestionable objectivity.

Mr Anderson, who has been the general manager for more than four years, said it was a bit of a surprise to receive the plaudit, with no official awards ceremony taking place.

Basils Farm found out it had won the award after receiving a series of emails from marketing companies asking it to join different apps.

“I couldn’t work out why this was happening and one of them on the bottom said ‘Congratulations on your hat’, so then I started Googling. It took me a while and then I found it,” Mr Anderson said.

“We’re quite comfortable with it and the team each have a spring in their step. You can just imagine that they’re really pumped up and they’re really proud.”

For more information and the full list of Chef Hat recipients, head to agfg.com.au/awards