Time Out Melbourne food award winners

And so the awards for the best restaurants and eateries continue.

There were some big winners in the Time Out Melbourne 2016 Food Awards for the ceremony held at The Cut Steakhouse in Alfred Place.

The awards were across 14 categories, including Restaurant of the Year, and the rest.

The top gong, the Restaurant of the Year award, went to Russell Street wine bar and eatery Embla.

It was up against some stiff competition, beating nine other top Melbourne restaurants to get the big prize.

In addition, Embla also picked up Best Casual Dining Restaurant.

‘Embla represents everything that’s great about Melbourne dining right now,” Time Out’s chief restaurant critic, Larissa Dubecki told The Shout. “You can go to what is nominally a wine bar and be served a fabulous meal that doesn’t have to break the bank."

Aaron Turner, at Geelong’s Igni was named Chef of the Year. Igni also picked up the Best Fine Dining Restaurant award.

Best Cheap Eat went to Fitzroy Indian eatery Mukka.

Taiwanese Ghost Kitchen picked the Best food Truck award.

 Eltham’s Second Home took out the Best Café award and, not surprisingly, the ever popular Fitzroy vegan restaurant Smith & Daughters won the People’s Choice Award for Best Restaurant.

There were three other People Choice awards, courtesy of Time Out readers.

Best Takeaway Lunch Spot went to George Calombaris chain Jimmy Grants, Best Takeaway Coffee was picked up by St Ali.

And the hot vegan franchise Lord of the Fries won the Best Late-night Snack Vendor award.

Time Out Melbourne 2016 Food Award winners.

Restaurant of the Year
Embla

Chef of the Year
Aaron Turner (Igni)

Best Fine Dining Restaurant
Igni

Best Casual Dining Restaurant
Embla

Best Cheap Eat
Mukka

Hot Talent Award
Jo Barrett (Oakridge)

Drinks Service Award
Lûmé

Best Cafe
Second Home

Best Food Truck
Ghost Kitchen

Legend Award
Ben Shewry (Attica)

MasterCard presents People’s Choice: Best Takeaway Lunch Spot
Jimmy Grants

MasterCard presents People’s Choice: Best Takeaway Coffee
St Ali

MasterCard presents People’s Choice Best: Late­night Snack Vendor
Lord of the Fries

OpenTable presents People’s Choice: Best Restaurant Award
Smith & Daughters

by Leon Gettler, September 21^st 2016