Businesses and diners can nominate their favourite restaurant, cafe, bar or chef in regional Victoria. 

The prestigious awards celebrate the best restaurants and chefs in the Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong regions.

Judging will begin in late April, with venues critiqued on food quality and presentation, customer service, value for money, coffee, wine quality and ambience.

Chief judge Rita Erlich, who attended the launch party at Ballarat’s Provincial Hotel on Tuesday, said Ballarat’s food scene had evolved over the years.

“Restaurants improve as the region demands more from them,” she said.  “I think they improve because they see what the competition is doing.” 

Judges will complete two rounds of judging in the next six months before making a shortlist of finalists. 

“(The restaurants) are getting an evaluation on everything they do – from people who know the industry,” Ms Erlich said. 

“It makes them look carefully at all aspects of their business.” 

 People can nominate their favourite Ballarat restaurant online at www.goldenplateawards.com.au

kara.irving@fairfaxmedia.com.au

AT A GLANCE

The Golden Plate Awards

Awards are granted in six categories: 

• Restaurant – contemporary dining

• Restaurant – relaxed dining

• Restaurant – casual dining

• Hotel dining

• Licensed cafes

• Unlicensed cafes

Special awards:

• Best barista

• Best chef

• Best coffee

• Best customer service

• Best front-of-house person

• Best value for money 

• Most innovative venue

• People’s choice