Food Drink

Adelaide Favourite Takes Out Australia’s Restaurant Of The Year

By Molly Peters

Posted on September 10, 2017

We’ve always known how incredible this restaurant is but it’s great to see the rest of the country is catching on.

Last night was a momentous night at the National Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards. The who’s who of Australia’s culinary scene came together to celebrate another year of incredible food and wine and taking out top spot, for the first time in two decades, was an Adelaide restaurant.

Orana was awarded the coveted, ‘Australia’s Restaurant of the Year’. Of course, we’ve always known how fantastic Jock Zonfrillo and Orana are, but it’s great to see the rest of the country getting on board. Zonfrillo has never shied away from experimenting with different flavours and unique combinations. He’s always exploring new territory and breaking new ground. That’s what makes him one of Australia’s best chefs and keeps him well on the radar in the foodie scene. It was only a matter of time that Orana got the recognition that it justly deserves.

Zonfrillio adds this to his ever-growing list of impressive accolades including, a Brand Ambassadorship with Tasting Australia and Australia’s first fermentation festival, Ferment the Festival. He’s also worked with Kris Lloyd on the famous green ant cheese which won gold internationally and hosted the TV show, Nomad Chef. Street ADL and Restaurant Orana were his two first solo ventures and it seems to be paying off.

Orana, which means “welcome” in some Aboriginal languages, is an intimate space home to Zonfrillo’s findings, philosophy and cuisine from over 16 years of research and exploration of Australian land, produce, people and history. Taking his curiosity and respect for the Aboriginal people, the oldest surviving culture on earth, Zonfrillo celebrates all elements of Australia – from the ancient to the modern – and in the process has created a cuisine that is uniquely his own. The Aboriginal philosophy to heal and be healed by the land and to always give back more than you take, strongly influences Zonfrillo’s culinary philosophy.

It’s no wonder it’s revered by foodies nationally.

It’s great to see that after only six months of trading, Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant has also taken out some awards. Being listed as the number 2 regional restaurant in South Australia by the GT Restaurant Awards.

Here’s the Top 10 for South Australia – Regional: