Cod in crazy water at Such and Such is a delicious menu item. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
The highly anticipated Good Food Guide Awards for 2024 have been announced with some big wins for Canberra.
City restaurant Such and Such was awarded the coveted Best New Restaurant of the Year award, beating out Sydney hotshots Bistro George, New York-style steakhouse Clam Bar, and fish-focused Petermen run by 2024 Chef of the Year Josh Niland.
Such and Such is owned by the team behind Ainslie restaurant Pilot and is essentially the smart-casual younger sibling of the two. Owners Dash Rumble, Ross McQuinn and executive chef Malcolm Hanslow travelled to Sydney for the awards with Such and Such head chef Nick Peterson and front-of-house manager Caitlin Baker, who was also a finalist for the Service Excellence award.
Dash Rumble, Ross McQuinn and Mal Hanslow co-own Such and Such and Pilot. Photo: Supplied.
Ross and Dash told Region that winning was an “overwhelming and unbelievable realisation.”
“All the other nominees [for Best New Restaurant] are our idols and people we’ve looked up to. It was humbling to even be nominated alongside them,” Ross explained.
Pilot was once again the only Canberra restaurant to receive two chef hats, while Such and Such joined the ranks of regular one-hatters Onzieme, Italian and Sons, Raku, Mu Omakase and Bar Rochford.
Another Canberra favourite to receive a hat is Kingston Foreshore institution Morks, who missed out on a hat last year, but brothers Benn and Mork Ratanakosol have been recognised for the rebellious Thai flavours in their 15th year of business.
“We were stoked to be up in Sydney with so many of our Canberra mates,” Ross said.
“It’s a nice chance to spend time with our industry friends. Because we all work the same hours, we don’t often get the chance to see each other, so it was great to hang out and celebrate.”
Benn and Mork Ratanakosol run Kingston Foreshore restaurant Morks together. Photo: Michelle Kroll
Good Food Guide critic Callan Boys described Such and Such as an “eclectic, forward-thinking bistro for all occasions” and awarded them a score of 15.5/20.
The resulting attention from this award will likely see tables a little harder to nab at the already popular restaurant. Ross said there’s been a “flurry of online bookings” already.
Fortunately, Such and Such reserves space for walk-ins and plenty of options are available for quick working ‘In and Out’ lunches or pre-theatre ‘Here and There’ dining that will have you happily fed in 1.5 hours and off to see a show.
Such and Such front-of-house manager Caitlin Baker was nominated for the Best Service 2024 award. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
With two restaurants to manage, Dash and Ross were quick to recognise that they don’t do any of this alone.
“We’re incredibly grateful to our team,” Dash said.
Ross agreed.
“The teams from both shops are the ones that are doing the hard work, and we’re so pleased that this award recognises them.”
The 2024 Guide also features Critics Picks: restaurants, cafes and bars that are worth a visit, even though they may fall outside the requirements for gaining a hat. Chef Aidan Kidson’s Welsh Rarebit at Paranormal Wines rates a mention, with more available in the guide.
See the full list of hatted restaurants at the Good Food Guide website.
Such and Such is located at 8/220 London Cct, Canberra. It’s open from Monday to Saturday. Book online.
Follow Such and Such on Instagram.
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Riotact.
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