MANDURAH restaurant, Redmanna is celebrating its 10th birthday last week with two more accolades to its name.
Chef Hayden Bilton picked up second place at the Australian Culinary Federation Western Australia Apprentice of the Year awards last month, while Redmanna was recognised at the recent Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) 2015 WA Wine List Awards.
Mr Bilton, who is in his second year at TAFE, had to prepare a set three-course meal while be judged on flavour, cleanliness and presentation.
“It’s my second time in the competition but I put a lot more effort into the preparation this year,” he said.
“I really wanted to do my best and would my TAFE coordinator would let me use the kitchen to do extra practice.”
Australian Culinary Federation honorary president Patrick O’Brien said this year’s competition was particularly high.
“This was the toughest competition we’ve seen for 10 or 15 years,” he said.
“We have had a batch of a lot of young talented people who are passionate about food, and it shows.”
The R&CA award for a comprehensive wine list was presented to the restaurant on June 22.
“It was a shock for us,” Redmanna owner Jason Hutchen said.
“We were up against places like The Trustee and Rockpool, so it’s really come out of the blue.”
Redmanna employee Brittney Hutchen-Craig, who created the wine list, said she aimed to create a wine list for the restaurant that was unlike any other.
Not only did she approach a lot of local, family-owned wineries for new wines, but Ms Hutchen-Craig’s wine list also included the option of half-bottles of the high-end wines.
Mr Hutchen said this was something which set them apart from the other award finalists.
