Best destination for gourmet diners

CHAUNCY has been named as the Best Destination Dining venue in the annual Gourmet Traveller Best Restaurant of the Year Awards.

Winners were crowned at a gala event at Sydney’s Catalina restaurant on Monday.

The award comes after several recent honours for the restaurant and owners Tess Murray and Louis Naepels.

“We were so grateful to be nominated but taking the award for Best Destination Dining in Australia is going to take a moment to sink in,” said Mr Naepels.

“We have a wonderful small but mighty team who we look forward to celebrating this win with.”

Chauncy was named as The Age Best Regional Restaurant in 2024.

The 2024 Australian Good Food Guide Awards gave the restaurant a rating of 15 for food quite out of the ordinary that’s well worth a stop on the way.

And Ms Murray was a finalist in the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Personality of the Year Award.

Victorian restaurants were well represented at the Gourmet Traveller Awards receiving the highest number of accolades than any other state.

“The Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards recognise the incredible depth and diversity of Australia’s dining landscape,” said editor Joanna Hunkin.

“They are always a highlight of the hospitality calendar.”

Mr Naepels and Ms Murray opened Chauncy at 178 High Street three years ago.

He grew up in Paris and began his career in Michelin starred restaurants. After arriving in Australia in 2006 and while working at Florentino Upstairs in Melbourne he met Ms Murray who was a sommelier.

Chauncy is open for lunch Friday through to Monday from 12.30pm.