GOLDEN TIMES AGAIN AT THE VUE GRAND
The Vue Grand has taken out the top award at the 2013 Geelong Otway Region and 2013 State Golden Plate Awards on Monday night.
Celebrating the 10th Anniversary with a gala dinner, along with 250 of hospitalities finest, the awards recognise excellence in hospitality in the Geelong/Otway Region, Bendigo/Central Victoria Region and the Ballarat/Daylesford/Pyrenees Region.
The Vue Grand swept the pools winning the Golden Plate for Best Restaurant Contemporary Dining and for Best Chef – Jesse Hughes, as well as receiving highly commended for Best Cellar of Local Wines and Finalists for Best Customer Service, Best Menu of Local Food and Outstanding Front of House Person – Caleb Fleet. The Vue Grand was also awarded the overall 2013 Golden Plate for the Geelong Otway region which is awarded to the venue with the highest score from the judging rounds.
The night concluded with the State Awards for the winners of all three regions with the Vue Grand winning the Best Restaurant, beating deserved finalists Mercato at Daylesford and the Public Inn in Castlemaine, and Best Chef Jesse Hughes, who was announced the winner after competing against the top three chef’s from each region in a mystery box cooking competition held 6 weeks ago. The top award, the Inaugural State 2013 Overall Golden Plate was awarded to the Vue Grand.
“It was a humbling experience, says Vue Grand General Manager Connie Trathen. To win the awards for the region was stunning, and then to win the State awards was such a proud moment. It was also great to see staff individually being recognised for their achievements as well. Caleb, our Food and Beverage Manager has been a finalist for two years in the Outstanding Front of House Person, and for Jesse, our Executive Chef to win both Best Chef for the Geelong Otway Region as well as the State Award for BestChef is so rewarding for all the hard work that they put in.”
Jesse also walked away with a return business class flight to London thanks to Garuda Indonesia for winning the State award for Best Chef.
“It was a privilege to just be named amongst the other great competitors, says Hughes, but to win was such an honour. The competition was a great experience, but to walk away with the prize and see the hotel as a whole do so well, is such a testament to the team who put in the work. It’s also a great testament to the Bellarine Peninsula. There were five venues from our region nominated for awards. It just goes to show that there are big things happening down this way! Asked about his trip to London, I’m pretty excited, admits Hughes, It’s such an awesome prize, and I can’t wait to see London. I just have to wait until I can find the time now!”
