South west finalists announced for coveted Gourmet Traveller Awards

Big names in hospitality continue to dominate the industry in the South West and have been recognised as finalists in the Gourmet Traveller Awards. The South West Wine Shop are nominated for the Wine Bar of the Year gong, with Wills Domain for Best Destination Dining, and Vasse Felix for Reader’s Choice Icon Award, celebrating some shining stars of Australian dining. Head of wine at Parker Group and the South West Wine Shop Cyndal Petty said her and manager Hayley Ward were “pinching themselves” after finding out they were listed as finalists. “We were just unbelievably excited and giddy and jumping up and down,” she said. “My parents were both chefs, I grew up with my mum having literal stacks of Gourmet Traveller magazines in our hallway next to her kitchen. “To be represented in the magazine for something that Hayley and I have produced as one of the best in Australia, it was absolutely unbelievable.” Ms Petty said a big challenge was choosing and curating the wine list to be of a high standard and accessible to diners. “Curating the wine list for this specific venue for me was a challenge because we wanted it to be a wine list that is at the top tier of Western Australian wines, and the restaurant industry,” she said. “Finding that balance is quite challenging, but I think we did a really good job at finding the middle-man and having a bit of everything for everyone. “We are a wine shop at heart but we want to be known for hospitality. “Building that culture, that connection to the community down south in the wine industry and the guests, is the most important thing for me. “I think being a finalist for the award and being six months old is unbelievably incredible.” Award winners will be announced by Gourmet Traveller on August 19.