A community-owned Riverland hotel’s restaurant was cemented among the best culinary destinations in the state at a recent major industry award event.
Hotel Renmark’s Temperance restaurant last week won the best country restaurant award at the 2024 Australian Hotels Association SA Awards for Excellence, with executive chef Hugh Hazelwood also being named Chef of the Year.
Mr Hazelwood said working towards establishing the restaurant – which opened in September 2023 and has since earned wide acclaim – had been personally rewarding.
“We are looking to inspire the next generation of hospitality staff in their own backyard,” Mr Hazelwood said.
“Bringing these awards back home is another step on the journey.”
Head chef Anthony Cresp said working with Riverland growers and suppliers had been key to the restaurant’s success.
“It’s the conversations with growers that inspire our dishes,” Mr Cresp said.
“With their knowledge and product we are able to bring dishes to the table in a new style for the region.”
Temperance restaurant manager Mel Hamilton said creating an experience that puts Renmark “on the map for fine dining” was an ongoing goal.
“Everything we bring to the table has meaning,” Ms Hamilton said.
“It’s a thoughtful journey at Temperance which is reflected in the stories we tell at the table about the produce, our region and our history”
Premier Peter Malinauskas – who spoke at the awards event – said the social and economic benefits generated by hotels were key for regional communities.
“It was a tightly run race in so many categories, speaking volumes to the quality of our state’s hospitality industry,” Mr Mailinauskas said.
“These achievements are important to acknowledge at a time when SA is rapidly becoming the destination state. The food, beverage, and accommodation services on offer in South Australia are second to none.
“Hotels and pubs remain the backbone of many metropolitan and rural communities – they are a source of employment, investment, and community spirit that I am very proud of as a South Australian.”
This article appeared in the Murray Pioneer, 30 October 2024.