MILDURA is quickly climbing the culinary ladder of success.
Award-winning celebrity cook Stefano de Pieri has just earned himself two chefs’ hats in the much acclaimed The Age Good Food Guide 2011.
His restaurant, Stefano’s, already has a string of awards to its name.
In 2006 he won the Best Tourism Restaurant in Australia and in 2003 The Age Good Food Guide named Stefano’s Restaurant of the Year and Country Restaurant of the Year in 2002.
In 2001 the restaurant won the Gastronomic Travel, Jaguar Awards for Excellence and in 2000 was awarded the title Best Prestigious Dining Venue by the Australian Hotels Association.
A proud Stefano yesterday credited his staff for his success as well as his suppliers and customers.
“We are elated, what can I say?
“Bearing in mind one of our key staff last year was gravely ill and the restaurant fell entirely on me and some of my young staff – it was really a wonderful effort.
“It is really a great achievement.
“And, now that our other chef has recovered and we have won, we are all happy.”
Stefano said the achievement was “even more exciting” for him because he had been in the business for almost 19 years.
“We have enjoyed a positive rating by The Age since about ’86, so we are very pleased and we thank all our supporters.”
Good local produce, and an excellent wine list, quality service and ambience are key factors in Stefano’s winning formula.
Stefano said the judges spoke highly of his basil sauce which led him to believe he was reviewed in March.
“Whether you are feeling good, bad or indifferent, you still have to be objective, because it could be the very night that the reviewers turn up.”
His win comes just months after Seasons and The New Spanish Bar and Grill’s owners Andy and Mandy Williams took home two prestigious awards at the Victorian Tourism Awards – the Restaurants and Catering Services award and Best Steak Restaurant title.
But the good food doesn’t just stop at Feast Street.
In Lime Avenue, the recently opened Mildura Noodle and Pasta Bar’s chef Andy Nguyen has plenty to be proud of.
Just six months ago Mr Nguyen and his family moved from Melbourne to Mildura.
Two months ago they opened the take-away restaurant and according to Mr Nguyen, business is good.
“Mildura is a multi-cultural city and the people are very friendly, so I reckon Mildura is the perfect spot for myself and my family to settle down.
“I was in Melbourne doing cheffing for eight years. I specialise in French and Italian and so far I’ve won five gold medals in Victoria for different competitions.
“I won Apprentice Chef of the Year in 2006 and the four others are for different cooking competitions.”
Ali Farha, manager of La Cucina on Langtree Avenue, believes Mildura’s culinary treasures are adding spice to Mildura’s appeal as a food haven.
Mr Farha also moved from Melbourne to Mildura two years ago, and set up his restaurant just six months ago.
La Cucina’s modern, provincial menu boasts everything from pasta and steak to seafood and pork and dishes with an Italian influence.
While he said many tastes were catered for within the city, more food outlets were welcome.
“The more the merrier, it will give people a choice, we’ve got six months of the year when we get so many visitors to town we can’t accommodate the lot of them.
“The more restaurants that open in Langtree Avenue, it would be wonderful – it would be like a little Lygon Street in Mildura.”
Mr Farha applauded Stefano’s achievement.
“Well done, that’s very very well done and deservedly (so). I believe he has done a lot for this town.
“You’ve also got Seasons and the Spanish Bar and Grill, both of them serve very good food.”
Also in Feast Street, a contemporary restaurant has replaced Vibe Cafe.
Twenty three-year-old Chloe Lewis has made the switch from real-estate to entrepreneur and opened The Dish.
“I thought it would be a good opportunity, it’s a prime location – especially if the casino proposal goes ahead,” she said.
But it’s not just Feast Street delivering a range of cuisine; restaurants are popping up throughout Mildura to cater for exotic, spicy, American and European tastes.
A Hog’s Breath Cafe staff member yesterday confirmed a Japanese restaurant would open next to Hog’s in Deakin Avenue.
And on Eighth Street Japanese cafe Sushi Maru has opened up.
To suit even more palates, Mildura’s first Vietnamese restaurant has arrived. Ni Chau and Tri La opened the Eleventh Street outlet two months ago.
After seeing a niche in the market – and with Mr La’s eight year, kitchen-hand experience – the pair decided to jump right in.
Named after their eldest son, Truc-La, the cafe serves traditional Vietnamese cuisine. The couple hopes to expand their business and move to Feast Street within five years.
For more of this story, purchase your copy of Wednesday’s Sunraysia Daily 01/09/2010.
Email a friend