Two Kingscliff businesses are in the running for Australian Restaurant awards after winning North Coast titles.The already multi-award-winning Kathmandu Kitchen and Choux Box Cafe, both in Marine Parade, Kingscliff, are both in the running for the 2012 Savour Australia™ Restaurant & Catering HOSTPLUS Awards for Excellence awards to be held in the National finals being held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on October 29.Choux Box won the Northern NSW award for best Coffee Shop/Tea House while Kathmandu took out both the Indian/Sub-Continent Restaurant as well as winning the 2012 Consumer Vote Award – judged over all categories.The Kathmandu Kitchen Nepalese and Tibetan Restaurant was one of the first restaurants into the town after the streetscaping of Marine Parade back in the early to mid 90s. The efforts of owners Karen and Shankar Shrestha consistently attracting customer and industry praise in that time. Hailing from the Kathmandu Valley, owner/chef Shankar Shrestha serves authentic dishes bursting with the aromas and flavours of Nepal and Tibet.
The Choux Box Café was established in 1993 and pioneered the outdoor al fresco dining in Kingscliff.
Consistently a finalist in Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence – North Coast and New England Region. They we have previously won Best Breakfast Restaurant/Café – for our region, State and then National Award; Best Restaurant/Café – Gold Coast Awards; NSW Department of Training & Education – Apprentice of the Year Award and NSW State Award – Small business of the year North Coast.
The win and nomination for the Choux Box is part of a big month for owner Brett Freeburn and his family. As well as making the National finals, the Freeburn family, who are all involved in the hospitality industry, will celebrate the wedding of daughter Cenza, who also works with her dad at Choux Box, in Bali next week.
Mr Freeburn said he was extremely pleased with the North Coast title and said it was “recognition that the business was on the track and doing what people want from a cafe”.
“Consistency is everything in everything we do,” he said of receiving another award.”
He said it was important to offer good service and that the cafe be part of the community as well as being in it.
Kingscliff Chamber Commerce president Jayne Henry paid tribute to both businesses.
“It is absolutely fantastic,” she said of the awards.
“It is really an amazing boost for the town and we need to start promoting and supporting local businesses especially when they are doing so well.
“These awards are proof that there is a sophisticated dining area right here in Kingscliff and we don’t have to leave town to enjoy great food and service.”
