Brisbane chef Sarah Baldwin has been named Australia’s Restaurant Personality of the Year.
Ms Baldwin, who owns and operates the 10-seat Joy restaurant in Fortitude Valley, received the accolade at the Gourmet Traveller Annual Restaurant Awards in Sydney last night.
At the event, Restaurant Labart in Burleigh Heads was acknowledged as Queensland’s Restaurant of the Year and the national title went to the Agrarian Kitchen restaurant in Tasmania.
The Agrarian was the first Tasmanian restaurant to earn the gong in the award’s 45-year history.
Gourmet Traveller editor Joanna Hunkin said the Agrarian Kitchen had evolved from a small farm and cooking school in the Derwent Valley to what was now a global dining destination.
The work Rodney (Dunn) and Séverine (Demanet) have put into transforming the property and its gardens, and establishing a truly sustainable food system, is extraordinary,” Ms Hunkin said.
“Tonight’s honour recognises that thoughtfulness and commitment and is testament to the fact that good things take time.”
The full last of 2024 winners are below.
STATE WINNERS
ACT: Pilot (Canberra)
NSW: Cafe Paci (Sydney)
QLD: Restaurant Labart (Burleigh Heads)
SA: Maxwell Restaurant (McLaren Vale)
TAS: The Agrarian Kitchen Restaurant (New Norfolk)
VIC: Vue de Monde (Melbourne)
WA: Casa (Perth)
READERS’ CHOICE ICON AWARD
Lake House, Daylesford, VIC
CHEF OF THE YEAR
Pasi Petanen, Cafe Paci, Sydney, NSW
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO HOSPITALITY
The Ayubi Family, Parwana Afghan Kitchen, Adelaide, SA
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
King Clarence, Sydney, NSW
BEST NEW TALENT
Mischa Tropp, Toddy Shop, Melbourne, VIC
BEST DESTINATION DINING
Chauncy, Heathcote, VIC
WINE BAR OF THE YEAR
South West Wine Shop, Busselton, WA
RESTAURANT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Sarah Baldwin, Joy, Brisbane, QLD