Last night, the winners of Australia’s prestigious Gourmet Traveller Annual Restaurant Awards were announced in Sydney at Brasserie 1930, with Queensland’s fire-fuelled Agnes claiming Restaurant of the Year.
Named among the state winners was Kingston bistro Onzieme. Doing Canberra proud, the hard work and dedication of hatted chef Louis Couttoupes and his team to find their distinct style within ACT’s food scene has now been recognised nationally. Opening in late 2021, taking over the title from last year’s winner Pilot, the win marks an incredible achievement for the relatively new restaurant.
“It’s pretty surreal to be honest,” says Couttoupes.
“With so many places doing such amazing things in Canberra, it doesn’t feel real. We have such a great team at the moment, I just want to hug them all!”
After learning the ropes at Bar Rochford, Couttoupes set out to open his own restaurant, with an ode to the gastronomy of Paris and a heavy wood-fire influence. Later opening a cosy wine bar downstairs, it didn’t take long for Onzieme to become one of the best in the Capital.
With what he said wouldn’t be possible without his team, Couttoupes has many people to thank including his partner and bar manager.
“I wish Brett Nebauer could be here to celebrate, he’s such a legendary bartender, and my partner Iwona. She has put up with so much over the last couple of years. I couldn’t be happier or more shocked right now.”
The other state restaurants sharing the spotlight include Aalia in Sydney, Adelaide’s Restaurant Botanic, Peppina in Hobart, Melbourne’s Etta, and Millbrook in Jarrahdale.
To read the full list of winners, visit https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/
