Inaugural Northern Awards announced, with Sneaky’s winning best restaurant
FRESH ideas, hard work and community commitment in Adelaide’s north have been recognised and celebrated in a series of awards announced on Monday night.
The inaugural Northern Awards — a partnership between the Northern Messengerand the State Government’s Northern Connections office — acknowledge businesses and community members who have tirelessly worked to build a stronger region and support those in need.
And in that community spirit, the winners were chosen by nearly 3000 people in 11 public vote categories, resulting in more than 160 entries being received across a total of 22 categories.
Among the winners was Angle Vale restaurant Sneaky’s, which took out the Best Restaurant/Cafe category with its Mediterranean-inspired menu and “wonderful” customer service.
Cousins Anthony Pilaia and Antonio Pelle started the Heaslip Rd restaurant less than two years ago, but have already garnered the favour of the northern community.
Mr Pilaia said being passionate about good food and good service had served them well.
“We just care so much and we try so hard,” he said.
“Good food, good service and it’s just caring about what the customers want.”
Salisbury Bakery on John St also took home a gong for the Best Bakery category.
Owner Van Nguyen, who established the eatery in 1996, paid tribute to his loyal customers.
“I really enjoy running my business because I like making food for people and providing the best service for my customers, which makes them happy,” Mr Nguyen says.
“I think that Salisbury is a great place to run a business — I have been living her for more than 30 years and I love the area, and I love the people.”
Bickford’s Australia, South Australia’s iconic cordial producer, earned the Business of the Year— Taking Northern Adelaide to the World award for its international presence.
The Salisbury South company is a major supplier to international supermarket chains and has a well-established presence in cafes, restaurants, pubs and petrol stations across the globe.
Its product line includes a range of cordials, energy drinks, flavoured and spring waters, fruit juices, syrups, milk mixers, iced coffees, sodas and soft drinks.
Brand manager Beverely Reeves while the business is proud of its international ties, it aimed to keep jobs local, employing more than 400 people nationwide — a quarter of which are based at the Salisbury South factory on Cross Keys Rd.
“Many of our people have been with the company for 15 and 20 years whose loyalty speaks volumes about the culture and the growing stature of the business as a local employer,” she said.
Award winners
Best pub: Midway Tavern — Elizabeth Park
Best restaurant/cafe: Sneaky’s Restaurant — Angle Vale
Best hairdresser, health/beauty related business: Barber Boys — Munno Para
Best butcher: Para Hills Fresh Cut Butchers — Para Hills
Best bakery: Salisbury Bakery — Salisbury
Best greengrocer: Hollywood Fresh — Salisbury Downs
Best customer service: Farm Fresh Market — Parafield Market
Best event (staged in the past 12 months): Playford Alive Community Fun Day — Munno Para
Best entertainment venue: Para Hills Community Club — Para Hills
Best free fun activity: St Kilda Adventure Playground — St Kilda
Best local park/green space: St Kilda Adventure Playground — St Kilda
Employer of the year — giving young people a go:
Stevens Structural Pty Ltd, Edinburgh North — a structural steel company which has fast become a well-known name in the building industry with a reputation for taking on young apprentices.
Employer of the year — giving back to the community: Calibreone, Smithfield — supports and sponsors the Scouts Comedy Capers and offers mentoring on technology to schoolkids.
Employer of the year — innovative start-up (less than two years old): Bsafer Safety Solutions Pty Ltd, Pooraka — saw a niche for a specialised height safety contractor which now provides services in South Australia, Northern Territory and Victoria.
Business of the year — Innovation in Business: Osmoflo, Burton — Australia’s largest locally-owned desalination and water recycling company.
Business of the year — taking northern Adelaide to the world:
Bickfords, Salisbury South — as well having a large profile in Australia, the company also has a robust export business, with markets in South-East Asia, China, Hong Kong and UAE.
Resilient community — individual: James Burgess, Craigmore — one of Playford’s quiet achievers, James is heavily involved in kids soccer in the community.
Resilient community — group/organisation: Family Zone, Ingle Farm Primary School — one of the most comprehensive early childhood support services of its kind.
Resilient community — partnership: United we read, Elizabeth Downs and Elizabeth Park — an early intervention program for more than 300 preschoolers, to help them prepare for school.
Creating Opportunities for Young People (Aged 0-5): Salisbury Library Service — the service’s ABC 30 & 3 program aims to improve the prospects of preschool age children where reading is not a regular activity in the home.
Creating Opportunities for Young People (Aged 6-14): Children’s University Australia — Munno Para, Davoren Park, Angle Vale, Salisbury North, Elizabeth North, Para Hills, Salisbury Downs, Paralowie, Burton. Provides extra-curricular activities for children aged 7-14.
Creating Opportunities for Young People (Ages 15-24): Two winners —
1: AIME Mentoring, Mawson Lakes — supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through high school and into university, employment or further education.
2: Northern Adelaide State Secondary Schools’ Alliance, Elizabeth, Craigmore, Elizabeth South, Salisbury North, Paralowie — member schools collaborate so that young people transitioning from school to work or further education will be successful.
Source: Adelaide Now, Sarah Rohweder, 23rd November 2015
Originally published as: Inaugural Northern Awards announced, with Sneaky’s winning best restaurant
