Lorne restaurant wins big

GREAT Ocean Road’s MoVida Lorne was crowned best new restaurant at the annual Restaurant and Catering Hostplus Awards For Excellence last week.

Presented by Savour Australia, the awards ceremony formally acknowledges Victorian and Tasmanian eateries that have proven their ability to deliver a high-quality dining experience.

With restaurants in Melbourne’s Hosier Lane and Bourke Street, the cuisine at MoVida blends the Spanish tradition of sharing – tapas and raciones – with a contemporary edge.

To qualify for the prestigious title, MoVida Lorne was tested by a series of mystery diners.

MoVida owner and chef Frank Camorra said winning best new restaurant cemented the camaraderie within his passionate team.

“Winning this award is a great acknowledgement of the hard work Kane (head chef), Emma (restaurant manager), Paul (Lorne Hotel owner), and the entire team have put into MoVida Lorne since its launch nine months ago,” he said.

“To me, what this award means is that we can successfully manage the highs and lows of running MoVida in a seasonal town, and that’s something I’m proud of.

“Our team has done a fantastic job in maintaining the consistent high standards that our customers expect at MoVida.”

Mr Camorra, who was born in Barcelona, said his staff are busy preparing for the restaurant’s second summer season.

In a bid to use local suppliers, MoVida Lorne is now sourcing produce from Mount Moriac Beef and Great Ocean Road Ducks.

“Going forward, MoVida Lorne will continue to harness local produce to create classic MoVida dishes with a coastal flair, reflecting a beautiful seaside dining experience,” Mr Camorra said.

MoVida Lorne is located at 176 Mountjoy Parade, Great Ocean Road, Lorne. Visit movida.com.au/lorne for more information.