RESTAURANT CATEGORY DEFINITIONS

1.    Asian Restaurant
Establishments which specialise in cuisine from the Asian region (not covered by an existing category i.e. Chinese, Indian, Japanese & Thai. Sushi Bar & Modern Asian are Metropolitan categories only.)

1a.    Modern Asian Restaurant (Sydney Metropolitan only)
Establishments which predominantly offer innovative Asian cuisine in premises featuring contemporary Asian design and service. (Note: May have other cuisine influences but must have a minimum of 80% of Asian style food items on the menu).

1b.    Japanese Restaurant (Sydney Metropolitan only)
Establishments which specialise in Japanese cuisine. Must be 100% Japanese cuisine otherwise the Asian category will apply.

1c.    Malaysian Restaurant (Sydney Metropolitan only)
Establishments which specialise in Malaysian cuisine.

1d.    Sushi Bar (Sydney Metropolitan only)
Establishments which specialise in Sushi including sushi train operations. (Note: Must have sit-down facilities. Excludes take-away only operations).

1e.    Vietnamese Restaurant (Sydney Metropolitan only)
Establishments that specialise in Vietnamese cuisine.

(Note: If insufficient entrants in the Asian Restaurant sub-categories, nominees will compete in the Asian category)

2.    Breakfast Restaurant*
Establishments which specialise in the provision of breakfast for at least 6 days per week.

3.    BYO Restaurant*
Restaurants and bistros which do not have a liquor license. (Note: Must be open for dinner service. Restaurants representing different cuisines may compete in this category).

4.    Café Restaurant
Establishments providing a relaxed contemporary Australian menu or affordable light refreshments which may include pre-prepared, hot and cold dishes or sweets & desserts in a casual dining environment.  (Note: Must operate for at least 5 days a week during the daytime - including breakfast and may be open for evening meals using the same menu).

5.    Chinese Restaurant*
Establishments which specialise in Chinese cuisine. Must be 100% Chinese cuisine otherwise the Asian category will apply.

6.    Coffee Shop / Tea House*
Establishments which provide daytime only coffee, tea, sandwich, snack and patisserie items.
(Note: Must be completely unlicensed premises [including no BYO facility] and closed for dinner service).

7.    Contemporary Australian Restaurant*
Establishments which predominantly offer a menu characterised by fresh seasonal produce and innovative dishes that reflect contemporary trends in Australian cooking. (Category maybe split into Formal & Informal at discretion of Chief Judge. This will be determined by the number of nominations received for each category).

7a.       Contemporary Australian Restaurant – Informal
Establishments which predominantly offer a menu characterised by fresh seasonal produce and innovative dishes that reflect contemporary trends in Australian cooking provided in an informal relaxed setting.

7b.       Contemporary Australian Restaurant – Formal
Establishments which predominantly offer a menu characterised by fresh seasonal produce and innovative dishes that reflect contemporary trends in Australian cooking provided as a formal, structured dining experience at the premium end of the market.

8.    European Restaurant
Establishments which specialise in a cuisine from either a country or region in Europe (e.g. German, Scandinavian) not covered by another existing category (i.e. Italian, French, Greek). (Note: If insufficient entries, entrants will compete in the Specialty category).

8a.       French Restaurant
Establishments which specialise in traditional or contemporary French cuisine. Must be 100% French cuisine otherwise the European category will apply. (Note: If insufficient nominees, entrants will compete in the European Category).

8b.       Greek Restaurant
Establishments which specialise in traditional or contemporary Greek cuisine. Must be 100% Greek cuisine otherwise the European category will apply. (Note: If insufficient nominees, entrants will compete in the European Category).

9.    Family Restaurant*
Establishments which routinely offer a varied child-friendly menu that specifically targets children under 12 years of age and caters to family dining. (Note: Establishments must be clearly recognised and identifiable as a child-friendly eating environment. Must also maintain clear and obvious children’s facilities [i.e. Play area / high chairs / toys or other children’s activities]. High chairs and children’s menus only do not qualify entry into this category). Entry must include a children’s menu sent to R&C.

10.    Fine Dining Restaurant*
Establishments which undertake to provide a formal, structured dining experience at the premium end of the market. (Note: Different cuisine types may compete in this category).

11.    Restaurant in a Hotel/Motel
In-house restaurant operating daily in a Hotel, Motel, Motor Inn or Guesthouse

11a.    Restaurant in a Motel / Motor Inn / Guesthouse (Regional areas only)
In-house restaurants operating daily in a 3-5 star Motel / Motor Inn / Guesthouse offering accommodation and an in-house restaurant. (Note: Restaurant must be open to both guests and non-residents. If insufficient entries may be combined with the Hotel category).

11b.    Restaurant in a Hotel (Sydney Metropolitan only)
In-house restaurants operating daily in a 3-5 star Hotel with guest rooms. The restaurant must be located on the Hotel premises and operate routinely as the in-house restaurant open to Hotel guests and non-resident diners. (Note: Restaurant must be open to both guests and non-residents. If insufficient entries may be combined with the Motel category)

11c.     Restaurant in a Resort (Regional areas only)
An in-house restaurant operating within a 3-5 star Resort Hotel offering accommodation and resort style facilities, e.g. golf, spa, leisure activities. (Note: All restaurants operating within a Resort will compete in this category irrespective of cuisine type, lessee status or licensee rights. If insufficient entries may be combined with the Hotel category).

11d.    Fine Dining in a Hotel (Metropolitan only)
Establishments in a 3-5 star Hotel, which provide a formal, structured dining experience at the premium end of the market. The restaurant must be located on Hotel premises and operate routinely as the in-house restaurant open to Hotel guests and non-resident diners. (Note: Different cuisine types may compete in this category).

12.    Indian / Sub-Continent Restaurant
Establishments which specialise in traditional or contemporary Indian or sub-continent cuisine; e.g. Nepalese, Sri Lankan

13.    Italian Restaurant*
Establishments which specialise in traditional or contemporary Italian cuisine. Must be 100% Italian cuisine otherwise the European category will apply. Category maybe split into Formal & Informal at discretion of Chief Judge).

13a.    Italian Restaurant - Informal (Sydney Metropolitan only)
Establishments which specialise in Italian cuisine provided in an informal, relaxed setting with appropriate décor and a flexible menu. (Note: Category criteria are based on menu, décor, facilities and service).

13b.     Italian Restaurant – Formal (Sydney Metropolitan only)
Establishments which specialise in Italian cuisine provided as a formal structured Italian dining experience at the premium end of the market. (Note: Category criteria are based on menu, décor, facilities and service).

14.    New Restaurant*
Establishments which have been in business for a period no greater than 12 months and opened after the close of nominations for the previous year’s Awards for Excellence. (Note: New venue, new owner/operator at an existing venue or an existing operator undertaking major renovations and change of cuisine style qualify for this category. This category does not qualify for Restaurant of the Year).    

15.    Pizza Restaurant*
Establishments which specialise in Pizza.
(Note: At least 80% of the menu must be pizza. Must have sit-down dining facilities and table service).

16.    Restaurant in a Pub/Club/Tavern*
In-house restaurants operating within / on the premises of a pub, club or tavern. (Note: If multiple entries for specific establishment types, the category may be split into individual Pub and Club divisions).

        16a.     Restaurant in a Pub (Sydney Metropolitan only)
        In-house restaurants operating within / on the premises of a Pub. (No accommodation facilities).

        16b.     Restaurant in a Club (Sydney Metropolitan only)
        In-house restaurants operating within / on the premises of a licensed Club.

17.    Restaurant in a Winery* 
A restaurant operating on the premises/site of a winery, cellar door or vineyard. (Note: All restaurants operating within a Winery will compete in this category irrespective of cuisine type, lessee status or licensee rights).

18.    Seafood Restaurant*
Establishments which specialise in seafood. (Note: At least 80% of the menu must be seafood).

18a.     Seafood Restaurant – Informal (Sydney Metropolitan only)
Establishments which specialise in seafood provided in an informal relaxed setting with appropriate décor. (Note: At least 80% of the menu must be seafood).

18b.     Seafood Restaurant – Formal (Sydney Metropolitan only)
Establishments which specialise in seafood provided as a formal structured seafood dining experience with appropriate décor at the premium end of the market. (Note: At least 80% of the menu must be seafood).

19.    Specialty Restaurant*
Establishments which clearly specialise in a particular style of cuisine not specifically accommodated by any other listed category, i.e. Vegetarian, Bush Tucker, Moroccan, etc.

19a.     Beer Café (Sydney Metropolitan only)
Establishments in which beer is a clear and predominant feature served in conjunction with a European or Contemporary Australian menu.

19b.     Mexican Restaurant
Establishments which specialise in Mexican cuisine. (Note: Must have a minimum of 80% Mexican style food on the menu. If insufficient nominees, entrants will compete in the Specialty Category).

19c.     Middle Eastern / North African Restaurant
Establishments which clearly specialise in Middle Eastern or African cuisine (ie. Lebanese, Iranian, Arabian). (Note: If insufficient nominees, entrants will compete in the Specialty Category).

19d.     Tapas Restaurant (Sydney Metropolitan only)
Establishments which specialise in Turkish cuisine.

19e.     Turkish Restaurant (Sydney Metropolitan / ACT only)
Establishments which specialise in Turkish cuisine. (Note: If insufficient entrant’s in the Specialty Restaurant sub-categories, nominees will compete in Specialty category).

20.    Steak Restaurant*
Establishments which specialise in premium quality steak and pro-actively market this as a specialty.
(Note: At least 70% of the menu must be red meat. Specialist franchise steak operators must compete in the Themed category, e.g. Black Stump, Hog’s Breath, SSS BBQ Barns, etc.).

21.    Thai Restaurant*
Establishments which specialise in Thai cuisine. Must be 100% Thai cuisine otherwise the Asian category will apply.
(Note: Must have sit-down facilities. Excludes take-away only operations).

22.    Themed Restaurant
Establishments which are part of a chain (a minimum of three or more franchised venues) that have a distinctive menu, consistent pricing, a uniform, deliberate and consistent themed image or brand.

MAJOR RESTAURANT AWARD

Restaurant of the Year*
Not eligible for direct entry. The winner is determined by a judgement of the highest scoring points from the winners of the restaurant categories.

SELF-NOMINATING CATEGORIES - Restaurants

Restaurant in a Training Institute - Regional
Establishments within a private or government educational institution operated as a permanent accredited training facility for students of the hospitality industry. Restaurants are nominated by their Training Institutions. Winners will be announced at the Metropolitan / State Awards in Sydney.

Restaurant in a Training Institute - Metropolitan
Establishments within a private or government educational institution operated as a permanent accredited training facility for students of the hospitality industry. Restaurants are nominated by their Training Institutions. Winners will be announced at the Metropolitan / State  Awards.

CLICK HERE to download the Restaurant in a Training Institute Entry Form - ENTRIES CLOSE: Monday 3 May 2010

Restaurant Caterer
Restaurants that offer catering services on-site. Restaurant must be used exclusively for this event. If a restaurant maintains separate function facilities / private rooms - they must hold a catering license to compete. (This is the only category that a restaurant can enter).

Restaurant Wedding Caterer (Metropolitan only)
Restaurants offering their venue and services specifically for a wedding function. The restaurant must be used exclusively for this      event. If a restaurant maintains separate function facilities / private rooms - they must hold a catering license to compete.

* Categories will proceed to the National Awards. All State winners will be considered for entry in the National Awards