Jack Rabbit Vineyard has won the Restaurant in a Winery and Best Tourism Restaurant categories at the 2019 VIC & TAS Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence.
General Manager Lyndsay Sharp said everyone at Jack Rabbit was over the moon about winning the awards.
“There is a lot of hard work, passion, pride and creativity involved at all levels so it’s exciting and gratifying for everyone here to be officially acknowledged and awarded by the industry association – it means we must be doing something right,” she said.
“The two plaques will take pride of place in the Jack Rabbit Restaurant foyer.”
Ms Sharp said the awards reflected a nod for the region as an epicurean destination.
“A key focus of the Jack Rabbit Vineyard Restaurant is to showcase local Bellarine produce, suppliers and wine to both locals and tourists alike,” she said.
“To facilitate a great wining and dining experience for people is a privilege and to play a small role in attracting tourists to The Bellarine and highlight aspects of this dynamic region is an honour, we are most definitely blessed down our way.
“Particular kudos must go to our executive chef Dwayne Bourke and the restaurant kitchen team – their collective culinary talent is exceptional.”
More than 80 local restaurants, cafes and catering businesses gathered to celebrate the achievements of their peers who were judged in over 35 categories, with the winners announced at the Awards for Excellence ceremony held at Crown Melbourne.
The Awards for Excellence is a nationally recognised, independently judged awards program that celebrates exceptional service and culinary talent across the state.
The Awards for Excellence is the only program in Australia where the judging criteria is determined by consumers who rank what is important to them in the dining experience.
