Time Out Melbourne once again celebrated all things tasty at this year’s Time Out Food Awards. Held at the swanky new Melbourne restaurant, The Cut Steakhouse in Alfred Place, the night was full of hospitality industry professionals and food lovers.
As my plus one and I made our way through the entrance and up the grand staircase, we were presented with some tasty gin cocktails from Fever Tree and some delicious nibbles.
It did not take long for the awards to kick off with a nice introduction from Time Out Melbourne editor Rose Johnstone. It must have been hard selecting this year’s foodie favourites in a city so rich with delicious offerings to bite and sip. The awards celebrated Melbourne’s best restaurants, cafes and food trucks covered 14 different categories.
The big award of the night went to Embla, which was named the Time Out Melbourne Restaurant of the year. Embla was also victorious in the category of Best Casual Dining Restaurant.
Chef of the Year went to Aaron Turner of Geelong destination restaurant Igni, which was also named Best Fine Dining Restaurant.
At the other end of the dining spectrum the award for Best Cheap Eat went to Fitzroy Indian eatery Mukka, while Ghost Kitchen took the prize for Best Food Truck with their delicious Taiwanese street food.
Best Café went to Eltham’s Second Home, while in another sign of the times the People’s Choice Award for best restaurant went to Fitzroy vegan diner Smith & Daughters. Vegans had it doubly good this year as the best late-night snack award went to Lord of the Fries.
As the crowds mingled, listening to some classic vinyl tunes spun by DJ Mel Musu from Fitzroy bar The Rooks Return, it was clear to see that we had it pretty good in this city when the culinary bar is this high. Congratulations to all the winners.
The Full list of winners:
Restaurant of the Year & Best Casual Dining Restaurant: Embla
Chef of the Year & Best Fine Dining Restaurant: Igni
Best Cheap Eat: Mukka
Hot Talent Award: Oakridge
Drinks Service Award: Lûmé
Best Cafe: Second Home
Best Food Truck: Ghost Kitchen
Legend Award: Ben Shewry (Attica)
Best Takeaway Lunch Spot: Jimmy Grants
Best Takeaway Coffee: St Ali
Latenight Snack Vendor: Lord of the Fries
Best Restaurant Award: Smith & Daughters
– Tomas
Tomas Zagoda is a filmmaker, writer, coffee addict and tall person who does not play basketball. You can follow him @TomasZagoda.
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