Young Restaurateur of the Year announced

Katrina Birchmeier, Australian Young Restaurateur of the Year.

Hobart restaurant Garagistes was in the spotlight at the Electrolux Appetite for Excellence 2012 awards ceremony last night with co-owner Katrina Birchmeier being named the 2012 Australian Young Restaurateur of the Year. 

"I was shocked, and really surprised and elated, I can't believe I was named amongst that competition, they're amazing people," said Birchmeier after receiving the award.

"Being from Hobart we often get forgotten, but this is amazing, I'm shaking!"

"It's a great thing to be recognised nationally as a young woman in business, in the hospitality industry, and there weren't a lot of female finalists across the board, so it's really positive for me in that sense. It's really going to be amazing for our business," she said.

Melbourne chef and restaurateur Daniel Wilson, co-owner Huxtable and Huxtaburger, was named Runner Up amongst a strong field including Amelia Birch (The Book Kitchen, Surry Hills NSW) Justin Markos (Utopia @ Waterfully Gully, Waterfall Gully SA), Peter Harrington (Sage Restaurant, Braddon NSW) and Rebecca Lines (Bar H, Surry Hills NSW).

The event was held at glass brasserie with Master of Ceremonies Jill Dupleix and duel guests of honour Peter Gilmore and Mark Best all paying tribute to the next generation of culinary stars that made up this year’s Electrolux Appetite for Excellence Awards national finalists.

Established in 2005, the awards attract the highest profile members of the food industry each year to celebrate young talent, and the future of the industry.

Source: Foodservice, 21 August 2012