Jonny Schwass, Executive Chef, Barcelona Restaurant being presented with the Meadow Mushrooms Outstanding Chef Award by Meadows’ Marketing Manager, Brian Olorenshaw. Photo courtesy of Karina Francks

GALA NIGHT FOR CANTERBURY CHEFS
On Sunday night, the chefs of Canterbury gathered for their gala night, the 2004 Canterbury Hospitality Awards. The annual event, which is regarded as the highlight of the culinary calendar for the local hospitality industry, is a unique opportunity for Canterbury’s finest chefs to recognise and honour the achievements of their own members. Three hundred and thirty people attended the lavish gala awards dinner held at the Hotel Grande Chancellor.

Jonny Schwass, Executive Chef of Barcelona Restaurant and Captain of the gold medal winning team at the Oceana Festival, held recently in Perth, was the proud winner of The Meadow Mushrooms Outstanding Chef Award for 2004.

The highly talented master chef is recognised within the hospitality industry as being an innovator, an outstanding mentor, and a true inspiration to his fellow chefs. The award is a hugely popular endorsement of the regard in which Jonny is held by his peers.

The Outstanding Canterbury Restaurant Award for 2004, was won by Simo’s Moroccan Restaurant. This award has crowned a hugely successful year for owner and chef, Mohammed Abbari. Mohammed also won the Meadows’ Grande Entrée Award 2004, as well as taking the Salon Culinaire, South Island Restaurant of the Year, and the Good Food Guide, South Island Restaurant of the Year awards.