On Monday, 23rd October 2023, the prestigious Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Awards 2024 winners were announced.
For nearly 40 years, the annual Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide has been recognising the best chefs and restaurants across NSW and the ACT.
Each year since launching in 1984, top independent restaurant critics visit each venue anonymously, with this year’s Guide based on a compilation of almost 500 independent reviews from critics over the past six months.
And the winners are…
Out of the 14 awards handed out, Lightspeed customers won a whopping eight of them, and Sixpenny was bestowed with the prestigious three hats.
PS40: Bar of the year
The best all-round bar that nails service, drinks, vibe and decor.
PS40 has been a legend of the Sydney bar scene for a number of years. However, for the past 3 years, the legendary bar has been hosting its Takeover Tuesday sessions – giving young chefs a platform to showcase their talents – from Japanese cuisine to Mexica, Italian, French and Filipino, to name just a few.
Such and Such: New restaurant of the year
The most exciting opening of the past 12 months that represents everything fresh and thrilling about dining across NSW and the ACT right now.
Opening in Canberra in early 2023, Such and Such has crafted a menu of nostalgic classics with a contemporary twist in a feel-good environment.
Alongside their food offerings that feature snacks, share plates and larger portions, their impressive drinks list has something for everyone, from beer to sake, wine, spirits and cocktails.
Bar Heather: New regional restaurant of the year
A restaurant working with local farms and suppliers to offer something new and exciting for the region and its visitors.
Opening its doors in late 2022, Bar Heather is located in the heart of Byron Bay, offering a menu focussed around seasonal dishes and natural wines.
Describing itself as a place to drink wine, you’ll be impressed by the extensive wine list. But don’t be fooled, as Bar Heather’s food menu is just as extensive and impressive, featuring fresh ingredients from the nearby Northern Rivers.
Happyfield: Cafe of the year
Good coffee? That’s a given. The best cafe also takes pride in its food, decor and service.
Opening in 2020 in Haberfield, Happyfield specialises in North American classics, including pancakes, hashbrowns and sausage-filled muffins and specials like poutine with real curds and fresh truffle.
From young families to influencers, Happyfield’s welcoming staff, excellent menu and warm atmosphere make it the perfect place for your weekend brunch.
Pipit’s Alice Dwyer: Service excellence
Executes the highest standard of service relevant to their establishment, from attitude and skill to knowledge and personality.
Pipit’s Front-of-House Manager, Alice Dwyer, epitomises Australian hospitality with a skilful yet relaxed and warm style of service. Starting off her career training in the highly regarded Rockpool Bar & Grill and Est., she’s now leading the tight-knit front-of-house team at Pipit, just north of Byron Bay.
“Because our menu is so focused on giving people the full Northern Rivers experience, the service has to reflect that as well,” she says. “We need to embrace the things that make us different.”
Saint Peter’s Josh Niland: Chef of the year
A chef at the forefront of dining, setting new standards and doing something original.
With four venues across Sydney, including Lightspeed customer Saint Peter’s, Josh Niland is renowned for his innovative take on how to cook fish.
Niland has developed his kitchens and cooking approach to ensure every part of the fish is utilised, including the eyes. From cod fat caramel to kingfish croquettes and curing swordfish into bacon, Niland is pushing the boundaries of what to expect from seafood.
Lucky Kwong’s Kylie Kwong: Legend award
For an outstanding long-term contribution to the hospitality industry.
The legendary Kylie Kwong has been providing Sydneysiders with incredible Australian-Chinese cooking for over three decades, including her most recent venture and Lightspeed customer, Lucky Kwong.
From her incredible culinary vision to her charity work and support of regenerative farming and First Nations cooking, Kylie is a true legend of the industry.
Plate it Forward’s Shaun Christie-David: Innovator of the year
A big thinker with bright ideas that better the community.
In 2020, Shaun Christie-David had a vision to use food as a force for positive change and founded Plate it Forward. Initially starting out as a social enterprise, the venture has evolved into a hospitality group.
In 2023, Plate it Forward has grown to seven purpose-led venues, including Lightspeed customers Colombo Social and Kabul Social, all of which provide training and practical experiences for asylum seekers.
Congratulations from the Lightspeed Family
We’re thrilled for our family of Lightspeed venues on their well-deserved awards and are excited to see so many of our customers being recognised for their amazing food, drink and talent on a national scale.
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