Fabulous five toast of Douglas dining and restaurant scene
TIMELY RECOGNITION
The Douglas Shire restaurant scene has again proven it can mix it with the best after a handful of local outlets were recently confirmed and announced as Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat Award winners for 2023.
In this instance Wrasse and Roe, Harrisons, Nautilus, Melaleuca and Jungle Fowl each gained a ‘chef’s hat’ while Oaks Kitchen retained its status as a ‘two hatted’ location – the only such outlet north of Noosa.
Gaining such industry recognition is as good as it gets for restaurants, no different than an actor claiming an Oscar or an AFL player gaining the Brownlow.
An Australian Good Food representative reiterated to Newsport that restaurant inspectors appointed by the Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG) dine anonymously. Their reviews and the opinions of the dining public, who generously send in their comments throughout the year, determine the winners/chef hat’s results.
To be awarded a chef’s hat a restaurant must score 12/20 based on food, service, ambience, buzz, view and location.
According to (AGFC) a venue with a rating of 12-13/20 is a good restaurant in its category and gains a ‘commended’ status. An outlet that’s 14-15/20 serves food ‘quite out of the ordinary’ and is ‘worth a stop on the way’.
More broadly, being known as a hat restaurant is often the pinnacle of a chef’s and restaurant owner’s careers.
What they said
Oaks Kitchen and Garden/ Jungle Fowl
“We’re really delighted; for Oaks’ Kitchen to be known as a double hatted venue and for Jungle Fowl to get its first hat – we couldn’t ask for anything more.”
- Ben Wallace/ Rachael Boon
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Melaleuca
“I believe that maintaining a high standard and keeping things consistent and simple has helped keep Melaleuca stay on the map.
“We all have a passion for what we do, Melaleuca's number one goal is for people that dine with us to feel they are welcome, excited by the flavours we've created, and charmed with great service.
“All of this together is the combination that we work so hard to achieve every day.
“My wife Namhee and I are reminded that the hard work has paid off and this makes us both excited for the future of not only Melaleuca But Port Douglas as a whole.”
- Adam Ion
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Wrasse and Roe
“It’s very rewarding to have gained a Chef’s Hat. Each day we are totally focused on delivering a memorable dining experience for our guests.
“Something like this is a small way of knowing we are on the right track in delivering what we aim to do each day.”
- Andy Gray
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Harrisons
“Harrisons is delighted to be recognised amongst other excellent venues as an award winner in this year’s AGFG Awards.”
“Accomplishments such as this are not only fabulous recognition for the hard and relentlessly high level of work our entire team put in on a daily basis.
“Gaining such an award is also amazing recognition for a region that punches well above its weight in the level of quality dining that it produces.
“We’re proud and delighted to help put Port Douglas on the map as a foodie destination.”
- Reina Patrick
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Nautilus
“The local dining scene just keeps getting better and better, so it’s great to see that so many Port Douglas restaurants have been recognised.
“We’re grateful to be amongst those named again in this year’s AGFG Awards.
“It’s truly a testament to our whole team of chefs and their dedication, creating incredible dishes night after night, even amidst an influx of tourists and staff shortages in Port Douglas.
“Now we’re excited to raise the bar even higher in 2023.”
- Tyha Day
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