July 2008 Cover Story

The Central Coast Chapter of the Restaurant & Caterers Association held their annual Awards for Excellence last month with over 20 restaurants across the region taking out awards.

Pearls on the Beach at Pearl Beach was named Restaurant of the Year while The Cowrie Exclusive and Corporate Catering took out the Caterer of the Year Award. Scott and Melissa Fox have owned the restaurant for the past six years but Mr Fox has been Chef at for the past eight years. “This is the first time we have entered in this Award," said Mr Fox.

It was a good year again for the Frasers, owners of The Cowrie, Onda and their catering division. In addition to winning the Caterer of the Year Award, The Cowrie won the Best Tourism Restaurant while Onda won Best Italian Restaurant.

The Restaurant & Catering Association’s Awards for Excellence are conducted each year to identify best practise in the industry and award its leaders. The winners of the Central Coast awards will now compete in the State Awards in September.

Winners in the various categories were:

TOURISM RESTAURANT
The Cowrie Restaurant, Terrigal

RESTAURANT IN A HOTEL/MOTEL
Barretts Restaurant, Quay West Resort, Magenta Shores

NEW RESTAURANT
Bells at Killcare Restaurant and Bar, Killcare

ENTERTAINMENT RESTAURANT
Live N Cooking @ Lizottes, Kincumber

ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Onda Ristorante Italiano, Terrigal

PIZZA RESTAURANT
Panarotti's Pizza Pasta, Tumbi Umbi

CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT – FORMAL
Ocean Restaurant, Blue Bay

CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT - INFORMAL
Pearls on the Beach, Pearl Beach
Platinum Blu, Erina

WEDDING CATERER - OFFSITE
The Cowrie Exclusive & Corporate Catering, Terrigal

WEDDING CATERER IN A FUNCTION CENTRE
Caroline Bay Brasserie & Functions, East Gosford

RESTAURANT CATERER
The Reef Restaurant, Terrigal