Central Coast restaurants scoop the pools at recent awards

Two Central Coast restaurants were named category winners in the recent Restaurant and Catering Australia’s 2024 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence for Sydney and Regional NSW.

The Cowrie Restaurant at Terrigal won the premium dining category after being named finalists in the previous two years.

“We have been finalist for the past two years with the Restaurant and Catering awards in the formal dining category but as a young restaurant, three years old in October, we never expected a win,” owner Dimitris Aronis said.

“It was rewarding to be nominated at that level and alongside some great restaurants.

“This year there was the formal dining category and a premium dining category, and we were selected for both.

“The team has been working very hard and the awards were a good opportunity to get a night out together to dress up and go out. 

“To win the category for premium dining was a huge surprise and shock – a few tears were shed.”

The Cowrie Restaurant had been established for about 30 years before Aronis bought it following Covid, after it had been dormant for 12 months.

“On reflection, it was a great reward for the roller coaster year it has been,” he said.

“We are always striving to be the best restaurant dining on the Central Coast, but it continually has its challenges.

“It requires attention to detail daily without let up.

“Throw in the current economy crisis and to say it has been challenging is an understatement. 

“It was a good win for us but more importantly the Central Coast and the coastal community of people that support small businesses.”

Lago Cucina located on the first level of Budgewoi Hotel at Budgewoi won best restaurant in a pub/club.

Restaurant owner Sydney Restaurant Group director Daniel Drakopoulos said the award was testament to the passion and dedication of the Lago and Budgewoi Hotel teams combined.

The Sydney Restaurant Group also owns a number of waterfront restaurants in Sydney.

“Overseen by general manager and licensee Andrew Carson, Lago’s offering, service and overall experience has been elevated over the past year with a strong focus for customer satisfaction coupled with amazing quality, locally sourced produce,” Drakopoulos said.

“We opened Lago in March of 2023 and Budgewoi Hotel in 2022 respectively and have enjoyed success as one of Budgewoi’s favourite local restaurants for a cocktail and easy, honest Italian. 

“We’re very proud of the award we have received and cannot thank all the staff enough for their hard work, dedication and commitment to what Lago has become.

“Not only are we extremely thrilled that we have won the award for Best Restaurant in a Pub/Club, but it is also especially great for Budgewoi as well as the wider Central Coast region to be acknowledged for its culinary landscape and dining.”