Six local restaurants nominated for coveted culinary awards

CULINARY EXCELLENCE

Lisa Keller

Journalist

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Macrossan Street favourite, Zinc Port Douglas, is one of a number of restaurants nominated in this year’s awards. Image: Supplied, Zinc

A number of Port Douglas restaurants have been named as finalists in the 2024 Restaurant & Catering HOSTPLUS Awards for Excellence, highlighting the high quality of dining options in the town. 

Designed to recognise venues and catering services that provide exceptional quality in each state and territory, the awards are broken down into multiple categories in which vendors can be nominated, with Port Douglas featuring eateries in six. 

Seabean, Salsa Bar & Grill, Harrisons Restaurant, and Lagoon House Restaurant have all been nominated in one category, Zinc in two and popular Macrossan Street Cafe, The Little Larder, nominated in three categories.

Categories include excellence in Breakfast Restaurant, Restaurant in a Hotel, Speciality Restaurant, Contemporary Australia and Tourism Restaurant. 

Owner of The Little Larder, Angela Higgins, said the nomination is a huge morale booster for her team after a difficult year. “It’s been a tough six months since Cyclone Jasper so for me, these awards are an acknowledgement to my incredible team that they’re doing a great job,” she said.

She also iterated the importance of the awards for the region. “Having so many local nominees reminds people of what people already knew - that we have an incredible selection of high calibre restaurants in Port Douglas,” she said.

Fellow nominee and owner of Zinc, Chris Bower, agreed saying “It’s critical for Port Douglas as a tourist destination to remain relevant and these awards keep the town in the forefront as a premiere dining destination to the world.”

Award ceremonies will take place around the country to announce winners from each state with Queensland and Northern Territory nominees attending a gala dinner at the Star Gold Coast on August 12th. 

Port Douglas Finalists

Breakfast Restaurant - The Little Larder
Contemporary Australian Restaurant - Salsa Bar and Grill, The Little Larder, Zinc
Restaurant in a Hotel - Harrison’s Restaurant, Lagoon House Restaurant (Sheraton Grand Mirage)
Speciality Restaurant - Seabean Tapas Bar & Restaurant
Tourism Restaurant - The Little Larder, Zinc

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