Sou’West target back to back excellence awards

ONE of Torquay’s favorite watering holes has achieved finalist status in two categories of the prestigious Australia Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) Hostplus Awards for Excellence.

Baines Crescent establishment, Sou’West Brewery, is one of six finalists for both the Family Dining (VIC and TAS) and Restaurant in a Pub/Club divisions.

The Restaurant and Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence recognise operators in metropolitan and regional centres across more than 45 categories.

Caterers are assessed on all aspects of their catering business including operations, food, service, staffing and event/site outcomes to determine the catering category winners.

Sou’West Brewery is Victoria’s reigning Tourism Restaurant of the Year winner.

Operations manager Ishbel McAleer said the Sou’West team are thrilled to be in with a chance of securing back-to-back titles.

“It’s great to be nominated and recognised at this high standard.

“It was a complete surprise to us, we don’t who know nominated us, but we are very stoked.

“We feel it’s a testament to our great food, drinks and tip top customer service.

“Our head brewer Luke puts his heart and soul into the beers, Vivinana and her cheffing team work so hard to bring the freshest ingredients and create delicious food, and Tyler and his front of home team strive to always be the welcoming faces at the front to make it such an enjoyable environment.

“We are so grateful to the Surf Coast community for supporting our brewery, which ultimately allows us to be nominated for these kinds of awards.”

Other local award nominees include Jashn Torquay (Indian Restaurant), Mavs Greek Restaurant (Family Dining VIC and TAS, Greek Restaurant), Raas Leela, Lorne (Indian Restaurant) Higher Mark – GMHBA Stadium (Venue Caterer) and Pistol Pete’s Food N Blues (One Music Excellence Award).

Winners will be announced on September 18 at Zinc in Federation Square, Melbourne.

For more, head to www.rca.asn.au/