More accolades for local French restaurant

FINALISTS for this year’s Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards were unveiled this week with Chauncy being named in two categories.

The restaurant owned by Louis Naepels and Tess Murray was last year named Regional Restaurant of the Year by The Age Food Guide.

The Gourmet Traveller awards are the longest-running restaurant awards in Australia, celebrating the country’s leading hospitality talent and innovative culinary experiences.

“It’s important we continue to lift up the industry and take time to celebrate these milestones and achievements,” said Gourmet Traveller Editor, Joanna Hunkin.

“There is no question 2024 is proving a tough year for hospitality, with many restaurateurs forced to make difficult decisions.

“At the same time, there are still plenty of success stories and new experiences to discover.

“The awards are here to remind Australians of the exceptional dining on offer across the country and to celebrate the joy of dining out.”

Chauncy is a finalist in the Best Destination Dining while Ms Murray is a Restaurant Personality of the Year finalist.

The winners will be announced on Monday 19 August at a ceremony in Sydney.

“We are very honoured and humbled to have been nominated for Best Destination Restaurant,” said Ms Murray.

“Being among such talented professionals and esteemed venues is a gorgeous compliment to our team and incredibly encouraging for the future.”

The recognition keeps coming with Chauncy given a rating of 15 in the 2024 Australian Good Food Guide Awards for ‘food quite out of the ordinary’ that’s ‘well worth a stop on the way.’

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

Mr Naepels grew up in Paris and began his career in Michelin starred restaurants.

He came to Australia in 2006 on a working holiday and while working at Florentino Upstairs in Melbourne he met Ms Murray who was a sommelier.