The 2012 Savour Australia™ Restaurant & Catering HOSTPLUS Awards for Excellence - National winners have been announced. 211 restaurants and 68 caterers from metropolitan and regional areas across the country have been recognised tonight for their outstanding commitment to quality and service at the industry’s gala night of night’s celebration held at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Awards for Excellence program has seen its 15th year and the National event is a culmination of winners from 9 events held around Australia with around 1400 businesses participating in the 2012 program. Through the RACES Evaluation System venues were assessed by trained judges who dine anonymously and review the experience according to a predetermined, research-based and standardised set of criteria, making it the only truly systematic restaurant industry awards program in Australia. The judging process provides a benchmark for businesses that are involved and is specifically designed to objectively recognise and promote industry best practice.

John Hart, CEO Restaurant & Catering commented, “Restaurant & Catering congratulates all the winners and finalists in the 2012 National Awards. Their achievement in providing great food and great service is in itself, a wonderful contribution to the industry. The Awards for Excellence represent an important moment as the industry pauses to honour these outstanding venues for their great talent, innovation and commitment and to celebrate such well-deserved accolades.”

The major National Awards were hotly contested this year. This year saw fantastic success for regional business Eleonore's Restaurant – Chateau Yering Hotel, Yering Victoria who received Restaurant of the Year and was winner of the Fine Dining Restaurant category. Eurest (Australia) – Westpac Banking Group, Sydney – NSW received Caterer of the Year and was winner of the Corporate Caterer category.

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Southbank received the Green Table Award for Excellence in Environmental Sustainability and for the second year running Crown Melbourne Ltd - Food & Beverage Department received The George Mure Memorial Professional Development Award 2012.

From Southern NSW the Meridian Café, Marulan, NSW has taken out the national title for Café Restaurant and the coveted Contemporary Australian Restaurant - National winner is Ashcrofts Restaurant, Blackheath, NSW.

2012 has seen a tough climate for restaurant and catering businesses that are experiencing a huge growth in wage costs and regulation that has made most restaurants only marginally viable. Restaurant & Catering is committed to supporting the professionalism and sustainability of the Australian hospitality industry and is delighted to announce the finalists and winners of the 2012 Awards Program.

Please see the attached Finalists and Winners List for a complete list of the 36 National categories in the 2012 Savour Australia™ Restaurant & Catering HOSTPLUS Awards for Excellence – National.