The culinary offerings on the South Coast are on par with those found in any major city of Australia according to the Australian Good Food Guide.
A number of south Coast hospitality venues took home AGFG awards this week with Wheelers Seafood Restaurant in Merimbula, the Rusty Plough of Eden, Cupitt’s Estate in Ulladulla as well as Nook Tea and Espresso Bar in Bega all recieving a Star.
Valentina in Merimbula, the River Restaurant in Moruya, Gwylo and Rick Stein in Mollymook, the Milton Hotel as well as Small Town Food and Wine in Milton were all awarded one hat, while Mismosa Wines of Bermagui and The Sandbar in Batemans Bay each received two hats.
Head Chef and Owner at the Sandbar David Tinker told East Coast Radio the team are thrilled with the announcement.
“We’re a small crew and I don’t have a recipe for it, we just try our best everyday and that’s the best you can do,” Mr Tinker said.
“We’re very grateful and humbled,” he said.
Mr Tinker said people from the three surrounding cities in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra as well as further afield have discovered the South Coast.
“COVID really put the South Coast on the map because we couldn’t travel so a lot more people discovered us during those times and I think now more people know about us on the South Coast than before,” Mr Tinker said.
Although Mr Tinker and his team are thrilled with the two hats, a rating of 14 and a star from the Australian Good Food Guide, he said they’re not letting the good news go to their heads.
“It’s not really jump up and down and get excited, it’s more like that’s your benchmark now and you need to maintain that standard every day from now.”
The Sandbar which serves up a five-course dinner set menu with dishes like Tasmanian ocean trout, Jerusalem artichoke parfait, matelote gelee, funorri, Brussel sprouts, Cabernet Sauvignon and tapioca crisp also took out the AGFG Reader’s Choice Award on the South Coast in 2022.
You can view a full list of the Australian Good Food Guide Award winners HERE.
Images: The Sandbar
