![T-bone steak](https://thisiscanberra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Capitol-Bar-Grill-Steak-e1647825697582.jpg)
A T-bone steak from Capitol Bar and Grill, one of Canberra’s most recommend steakhouses in Canberra? Photo: QT.
Winners of the ACT 2023 Restaurant and Catering Association Hostplus Awards for excellence have been announced, with a few Canberra favourites snapping up multiple gongs in prestigious categories.
These awards recognise excellence across several categories and celebrate restaurants, cafes and catering services in each state and territory. This year’s ACT awards had nominees in 11 categories.
Capitol Bar and Grill at QT Hotel was awarded the Best Steak Restaurant and also Best Restaurant in a Hotel. Executive chef Michael Box has won the Best Steak award three years in a row.
“It’s an honour to be recognised,” Michael Box said.
“We are passionate and committed when it comes to quality and consistency to honour our guests and the product.”
![chef in kitchen](https://thisiscanberra.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/QTC_Executive-Chef_Michael-Box-800x1200.jpeg)
Executive chef Michael Box led the team at Capitol Bar and Grill to their third win. Photo: QT.
The Capitol Bar and Grill team takes great pride in carefully sourcing their cuts of meat from a specialist whole-animal butcher in Sydney and specific farms to ensure their chefs are working with the best quality meat. These cuts are treated with the utmost care by the team of chefs, who store premium steaks in their humidity-controlled in-house dry ageing cabinet to achieve the perfect New York Sirloin, or Bistecca Fiorentina.
While steak is undoubtedly the star of the show, the menu at QT Bar and Grill also features Sydney Rock Oysters, slow-roasted cauliflower with whipped ricotta and cacio e pepe risotto with shaved truffle.
Other big winners included the Ginger Catering Group, who took out the Caterer of the Year, Venue Caterer of the Year and Wedding Caterer of the Year gongs. Owner and Director of Ginger Catering Janet Jeffs said she was “overjoyed” to win these three prestigious catering awards.
“This year marks 10 years for us at the National Arboretum Canberra. To win in this milestone year means so much. I am so appreciative of our whole team for all their hard work and dedication to get us here,” she said.
The Premium Dining award went to Les Bistronomes in Campbell, and they also took out awards for European Restaurant and Restaurant of the Year. Other winners included The Boathouse for Contemporary Australian Restaurant, and Raku for Asian Restaurant.
![scallops and truffles on a fancy plate](https://thisiscanberra.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Les-Bistronomes.jpeg)
Les Bistronomes in Campbell won Restaurant of the Year. Photo: Les Bistronomes.
The award ceremony at Realm Hotel was an opportunity for some of Canberra’s finest foodies to let loose and celebrate their achievements.
The Restaurant and Catering Association (R&CA) was established in 1922 as a peak body representing Australian hospitality businesses. Their activities include training, government advocacy and providing resources for the hospitality sector. The annual awards are a way for the R&CA to reward excellence among their members.
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The Ginger Group won three awards for their catering services. Photo: Supplied.
Finalists are judged across a broad range of criteria, including specific requirements for food, beverages, service, general presentation, and overall attention to detail.
Find the complete list of winners at the Restaurant and Catering Association website.
Visit Capitol Bar and Grill for an award-winning steak at QT Hotel, New Acton. More information on their website.
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Riotact.