Media release
12 September 2012
Essence chef wins national award
Chef of Jupiters’ fine dining restaurant Essence, Adrian Winoto, was crowned the 2012 Nestlé Golden Chefs Hat national champion at an awards ceremony in Melbourne last night.
The Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award is the only national chef competition dedicated to the development of younf chefs under the age of 25 years.
Adrian, 24, put his best culinary skills up against peers in the national cook-off to take out the top prize – a trip to the 2012 Culinary Olympics in Germany (valued at $15,000) where he will now represent Australia.
Adrian said the competition was a great experience.
“I would like to thank Jupiters for the support and opportunity that they have given to me,” Mr Winoto said.
“As a prize, I will join the Australian National Culinary Olympic team in Erfurt, Germany for the IKA World Culinary Olympics 2012.
“My departure date hasn't been confirmed yet as I need to process my visa but I am so excited to get back to Townsville and share all the stories about the competition with my colleagues.”
Jupiters Director of Food and Beverage Oden Gough said he was extremely proud of Adrian’s achievements.
“Adrian is a fantastic chef and is very dedicated in the kitchen. He has a real passion for creating amazing food and this national award has just cemented that,” Mr Gough said.
“We will be cheering Adrian all the way from Jupiters when he represents Australia at the 23rd Culinary Olympics, in Germany next month.”
Adrian’s win comes off the back of a huge week of achievements for Jupiters who was awarded the country’s Best Bistro Restaurant – Regional for Aqua at the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) Awards in Hobart, scooped the pool at the Queensland Restaurants and Caters Awards in Brisbane with the top gong for Wedding Centre in a Function Centre, Hotel Caterer of the Year, Best Restaurant in a Hotel for Essence and North Queensland Restaurant of the Year for Essence and was also inducted into the Hall of Fame for Best Superior Accommodation 4-4.5 star at the Queensland Hotels Association Awards (QHA) for Excellence.
Media opportunity:
Adrian will be available for interview at Jupiters tomorrow, Friday 14th September, between 1.30pm and 4.30pm. Please contact Isis Symes on the details below to arrange a time that suits you.