A PORT Macquarie couple will have even more to celebrate this Christmas.
The Corner restaurant owners Kathy and Peter Balodis took out the hotly contested restaurant and catering section in the NSW Tourism Awards and are now in the running for the Australian Tourism Awards, which will be announced at Luna Park in Sydney on 7 February.
Kathy said the restaurant had won silver and bronze awards before but this was the first gold.
“It’s a huge, huge category to win, and we’re just blown away that we actually won,” Kathy said.
Both she and Peter attended the awards ceremony in Randwick, so were able to receive their trophy in person and savour the special moment.
“We went in with no expectations as there are so many entrants, so it was really amazing when our name was called out,” she said.
Kathy said they had their fingers crossed for the national award, and had no idea of how they’d celebrate if they won.
“Maybe free champagne for the restaurant?” she said with a laugh. “It’s fantastic to get this far – a big accolade for all of us and the staff here.”
The awards are judged on a 30-page submission which has to address five key areas and answer many questions in detail.
The Corner is known for its modern Australian cuisine and locally sourced produce. Their website proudly states that the restaurant “offers sophisticated dining and a contemporary vibe with a menu driven by seasonal local produce, the freshest ingredients and passionate minds”.
The restaurant is in the Port CBD in Clarence Street and open seven days for breakfast and lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday. It is fully licensed.
The other local entrant to make it through to the national awards is Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, which won gold in the local government tourism category, also taking out silver in the heritage and cultural tourism category for the Glasshouse and a bronze in the festival and events category for Tastings on Hastings.
Bago Vineyards won bronze in the tourism wineries division and Vacation Village, the Telegraph Retreat Luxury Cottages and Diamond Waters Treehouse Retreat all were named as finalists in their respective categories.
