Gourmet gong to savour

SCORING another coveted gourmet gong less than 12 months after opening is a dream come true for Landscape executive chef Oli Mellers.

Landscape Restaurant and Grill, which is part of Tasmania’s Federal Group, and the Agrarian Kitchen Eatery both feature in the latest Gourmet Traveller Australia top 100.

The Hobart restaurant heads New Norfolk’s Agrarian Kitchen in Tasmania’s top 10, according to the latest rankings by the food and lifestyle magazine.

They also come in at 97th and 99th respectively in the Australia-wide top 100.

Mr Mellers said the recognition was unexpected given it was early days for the 10-month-old eatery.

“We do old-school flame and smoke cooking. We’re not trying to change the wheel, and it’s why we’re in the top 100,” Mr Mellers said.

Landscape’s asado grill is fired by surplus whisky casks provided by Tasmanian distilleries, evoking a unique taste in their fresh produce.

“We’re so lucky to be able to use and endorse Tasmanian produce both in and out of the kitchen,” he said.

“I’ve only ever dreamed of making the top 100 in Australia,” he said.

The inclusion in the top 100 ended a big week for Landscape, which picked up two titles at the Tasmanian Hospitality Association awards on Monday.

Located in the former Willow Court hospital at New Norfolk, the Agrarian Kitchen Eatery and Store opened in June. “Not bad for only being open for two months,” they said of the honour in an Instagram post.

The magazine described Landscape as having “an element of sparkle as well as professionalism that raise it beyond the everyday”.