Illawarra's top 3 food winners named

City Beach Function Centre was recognised as the best caterer in southern NSW last week

City Beach Function Centre in Wollongong, Shimmer Restaurant and Bar in Gerringong and Eschalot Restaurant in Berrima were among the winners in the Savour Australia TM Restaurant & Catering HOSTPLUS Awards for Excellence last week.

The three were named among the best local restaurateurs, caterers and cafe operators in southern NSW at an awards ceremony at City Beach Function Centre last week.

The venue itself picked up three awards.

It was named Function/Convention Centre Caterer and Wedding Caterer before picking up one of the major awards of the night for Caterer of the Year.

Eschalot Restaurant in Berrima took out the contemporary Australian restaurant category before being named Restaurant of the Year.

Shimmer Restaurant and Bar won the Consumer Vote Award.

Restaurant & Catering Australia chief executive John Hart said the operators of Eschalot Restaurant and City Beach Function Centre impressed the judges in more than one category

Mr Hart said the regional winners would now compete at the National Savour Australia TM Restaurant & Catering HOSTPLUS Awards for Excellence on October 27.

He said there were some additional categories this year.

The Innovative Workplace Training Award rewards innovative approaches to the skills development of staff and the Social Media Award will recognise the business with the most Facebook and/or Twitter likes.

Source:   Illawarra Mercury - 2 September 2014