The proof is in the pudding – or at least on the plate – the Southern Highlands is a great place to dine.
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The region is now home to three Good Food Guide Chefs’ Hatted restaurants.
The judges have been assessing restaurants around the country for the past six months.
All important in the judging is service, ambience, an X-factor, and – most importantly – food.
A successfully hatted restaurant clearly had to tick all the boxes but it would appear that a stand-out feature for the successful Highlands restaurants was fresh, seasonal, home-grown flavours.
Biota, which secured two hats for the sixth year, was praised by the judges for allowing “the flavours and the produce of the region to shine through”.
Eschalot, which has won a hat each year for the past 11 years, was characterised by the “seasonal, local dining” and the well-matched inclusion of “knock-out” Southern Highlands wines.
Meanhwile, newcomer to the Chefs Hat list Bistro Officina, was praised for getting real with “darkly rustic, down-to-earth food”.
It is not surprising that fresh, quality produce has shone through in the winning flavours of these restaurants.
In fact, it is a detail which many Highlands food outlets proudly boast and it is not surprising.
The Southern Highlands is becoming something of a go-to destination for its quality, home-grown produce.
Much of this can be enjoyed at these hatted restaurants and many other wonderful food outlets in the region.
However, a special initiative – the Southern Highlands Food and Wine Clusters – have been invaluable in showcasing this home-grown Highlands produce near and far.
There are now six regional clusters – with more to come – that highlight palatable food and tourism appeal of the Southern Highlands.
And the jury is in – quality wines, fruit, vegetables, meat and more – we’ve go it all.
What-is-more we have the restaurants and cafes to serve it up in a moutwatering form.
Such appeal has become a major drawcard for visitors to the Highlands, but how lucky are we to have this on our doorstep.
It is a part of our community that truly leaves a good taste in your mouth. As locals we need to savour the flavours.
