Encores still going strong
Toowoomba restaurant celebrates its 20th birthday
OVER two decades, the owners of Encores proved time and time again that fine dining has its place here.
Mark and Meredith Rawlings opened Encores restaurant in what is now the Empire Theatre’s box office on June 25, 1997, a few days before the theatre opened 20 years ago.
Eight years later, they moved into their current purpose-built building.
“It’s been a really great experience. It’s had its moments but it’s been great,” Mr Rawlings said. “We’ve done some really great events from dinners on stage to boardroom meetings to outside catering at the early days of Gabbinbar (Homestead) to opening a power station.”
Mrs Rawlings also cited the events Encores was involved in as one of her favourite aspects.
“We once catered for a fashion parade of 700 people and we used the restaurant as a cool room,” she said. “I just love events. It’s amazing what goes on during the organisation, what goes on to get the food quantities correct for that number of people.”
Mr Rawlings, also a chef, said he and his wife were hands-on business owners, but also praised their wonderful staff over the past two decades.
“Our staff have been one of our strongest points. We have some long-term staff with us and we’re very hands-on, but we’re very reliant on our staff,” he said.
Mr Rawlings said Toowoomba’s dining scene had changed.
“We opened a small boutique restaurant, some used to say we were a bit ahead of our times - some said we were the posh restaurant because we had linen tablecloths,” he said.
“I think things have changed and people have accepted it. I think there’s a big opening for casual dining in Toowoomba but our al a carte is very strong.
“We’re not a leader in trends but we keep a good consistent product in quality of ingredients and quality of service and a nice, consistent product works for us.”
Encores will be open during the Empire Theatre open day on Sunday, June 25.
❝ Some said we were the posh restaurant because we had linen tablecloths. — Mark Rawlings