Taste of success

Accolades for eateries

A LORNE restaurant has been crowned the best new restaurant in the state.

MoVida Lorne is the winner of Savour Australia’s award for best new restaurant at the annual Restaurant and Catering Hostplus Awards For Excellence, Victoria and Tasmania.

The restaurant was tested in secret by mystery diners for its award eligibility.

MoVida owner and renowned chef Frank Camorra says that the prize was testament to his dedicated, passionate staff.

“Winning this award is a great acknowledgment of the hard work Kane (head chef), Emma (restaurant manager), Paul (Lorne Hotel owner), and the entire team have put into MoVida Lorne since its launch nine months ago,” he said.

“Receiving the award is a great opportunity for our team to take a step back from their day-to-day lives to recognise and feel proud of how they have shaped MoVida Lorne.

“To me, what this award means is that we can successfully manage the highs and lows of running MoVida in a seasonal town, and that’s something I’m proud of.”

Meanwhile, a Bellarine Peninsula winery won two awards in the statewide restaurant competition.

Jack Rabbit Vineyard was awarded the best restaurant in a winery and best tourism restaurant. General manager Lyndsay Sharp said Jack Rabbit was over the moon about winning the awards, which represented recognition for an “incredible team”.

“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,” Ms Sharp said.

Jack Rabbit Vineyard could be eligible to compete with other finalists at national awards in Brisbane on October 28.