Neil Perry is The Tops

The luxury travel magazine Gourmet Traveller has chosen Neil Perry's Rockpool Restaurant as the countries top eatery for 2015 with the judging panel proclaiming it as the“most sublime” dining experience in Australia. And that's not a decision we would argue with having dined there several times.

Perry also overseas Qantas' flight catering and now has a stable of 5 restaurants, two in Melbourne and three in Sydney including the award winning Rockpool in The Rocks (pictured).

exclusive: What Barry Humphries misses about Australia

Comedian, author and artist Barry Humphries, manager of Mega Star Dame Edna Everage, who lives in London talks about his visits back to Oz:
 "I go straight to Machiavelli in Clarence Street in [Sydney], where I feel instantly at home. There, I have a restorative chicken consommé with parmesan and basil leaves, followed by a langoustine (the best in the world) or a minute steak on a bed of rocket, garlic and tomatoes. With a zabaglione for dessert I am totally restored. Alternatively, I fly to Mildura on the Murray River to Stefano De Pieri's incomparable restaurant at the Brewery, for Murray cod, perfect pasta or whatever delectable meal Stefano places before me. This has to be one of Australia's greatest restaurants."
OK, it is an exclusive but not the Shuttle's. Barry Humphries was talking to journalist  Naomi Chrisoulakis for the superb Aussie magazine Gourmet Traveller.
Naomi interviewed a number of famous ex-pats like Catherine Martin and make-up expert Napoleon Perdis about what they miss about their home country while living abroad. Read the full story here.
Pictured is Barry with his son Oscar at the recent Sydney launch for Oscar's new magazine The Art Book.

Another Hemmes' Winner

Peter Gilmore wields chopsticks at Mr Wong with Janni Kyritsis

You have to be quite brave to open up your brand spanking new restaurant to host the countries top foodies, chefs and restaurant owners representing 400 of Australia's best establishments but the Hemmes' family did just that last night for the 2012 Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards.

John & Merivale Hemmes

Mr Wong is Justin Hemmes' new addition to his burgeoning $200M entertainment empire. Located in Bridge Street in the old Tank nightclub premises it's two floors of exquisite Chinese fare.

And there really was no surprise when the top gong went to Peter Gilmore, known for his "snow egg" dessert, as his restaurant Quay was crowned best restaurant.
Not satisfied with scooping up award after award around the world (Quay under Gilmore's stewardship is usually rated amongst the world's top eateries) this is third time Quay, which has a stunning views overlooking the harbour and Opera House has been named Australia's best eatery.

Justin Hemmes' Mr Wong

 AUSTRALIAN GOURMET TRAVELLER AWARDS
Restaurant of the Year - Quay, Sydney
Best New Talent - Alejandro Cancino, Urbane, Brisbane
New Restaurant of the Year - Momofuku Seiobo, Sydney
Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality - Janni Kyritsis, chef
Chef of the Year - Ben Shewry, Attica, Melbourne
Sommelier of the Year - Banjo Harris Plane, Attica, Melbourne
Regional Restaurant of the Year - Loam, Drysdale, Victoria
Maitre D' of the Year - Ainslie Lubbock, Pei Modern, Melbourne
Bar of the Year - The Everleigh, Melbourne
Wine List of the Year - Carlton Wine Room, Melbourne

Peter Gilmore's Quay

As for the food at Mr Wong, there really isn't any point reviewing the food-it's quite simply sensational. You just have to check out yourself.

the Quay comes tops

The Quay and chef Peter Gilmour

Just days after Shuttlers enjoyed the hors d'oeuvres at the opening of the Victor Churchill Butcher Shop , the caterer and chef Peter Gilmour proudly accepted an award for The Quay as Australia's restaurant of the year presented by those who know -Australian Gourmet Traveller. The Quay faced stiff competition especially from Tetsuya-already rated in the world's 10 top eateries and a favourite of David Bowie who thinks nothing of flying into Sydney whenever in the Southern Hemisphere just to dine there.

Peter's contemporaries who joined in the celebrations at Qantas caterer Neil Perry's
Rockpool included Matt Moran & Luke Mangan
( Princess Mary of Denmark's favourite chef)