Leading Indian Chefs attend The Worlds 50 Best Restaurant Awards in Melbourne

11 April 2017: Drawing inspiration and keeping in line with Australia’s people, place and produce concept, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards highlighted the strategic messages of the ‘Restaurant Australia’ campaign. The flagship event, celebrated its 15th anniversary and witnessed the presence of 1,000 guests, including over 100 chefs and restaurant representatives, 300 media and the 26 Academy Chairs, and the crème de la crème of Australia’s food and wine industry at the historic Royal Exhibition Building on 5th April 2017.

The awards showcased Australia’s outstanding food and wine culture to an international audience of industry professionals and food lovers. The World’s 50 Best Restaurants is the ultimate annual gastronomic gathering, with chefs, restaurateurs, winemakers, sommeliers, media and food lovers from across the planet coming together to celebrate and participate in the culinary fest.

Eminent Indian Chefs, Sanjeev Kapoor, Kunal Kapur and Vicky Ratnani were a part of the prestigious celebration and awards on the invitation of Tourism Australia. The influencers will be on the frontlines of some remarkable tourism and food experiences in Australia post the awards. Their collective reach of over three million followers on social media will further inspire Indian tourists to choose Australia as their next holiday destination.

Mr. Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager, India& Gulf, Tourism Australia, said, “It is our constant endeavour to showcase some of the finest culinary experiences in Australia to our Indian travellers. Inviting the top Indian Chefs to attend The Worlds 50 Best Restaurant Awards is sure to inspire their followers and food enthusiasts back home in India to take a trip and explore the gastronomic journey ‘Down Under’. This initiative is definitely a seamless extension to the Restaurant Australia campaign.”

Celebrity Chef Kunal Kapur said, “The World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards is a great platform to meet the world’s culinary elite. The gathering was a great opportunity to interact and connect with several young and talented Chefs and discover some of Australia’s best culinary experiences. Post the event, I am visiting the states of South Australia and Queensland on my escapades to unravel Australia’s premium tourism experiences including the unique wildlife, incredible aquatic and coastal experiences, magnificent landscapes coupled with the best gastronomic delights. I am looking forward to this unique experience of gourmandise, talent and destination.”

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor said, Australia is seen as the hub of global cuisine with influence of foods from every corner of the world. I am a great admirer of Australia’s fresh and varied produce. Produce is abundant, people love seafood and the meat is great in Australia, combined with a climate that makes outdoor dining a pleasant reality nearly every day of the year. Australian food is a true reflection of Australia’s diverse culture. Food, wine and lifestyle are the articulation of Australian culture which lucidly defines its people.”

Chef Vicky Ratnani said, “During my last trip to Australia, I had a great time as I experimented with some unique and locally inspired dishes. Australia was the perfect backdrop for the celebration of the magnificence and grandeur of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. I am now setting out on an incredible journey across the states of Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania to unravel some of Australia’s marvelling and delightful food and wine experiences. The exotic display of abundant produce, diverse culinary experiences coupled with the scenic locales are sure to inspire Indian travellers to visit Australia.”

Since the launch of the Restaurant Australia campaign, international increment spending on food and wine has increased by more than $1.2 billion or 29 per cent. Research suggests Australia’s fresh produce, fresh seafood, high grade meat, and unique outdoor dining most heartily tempt the taste buds of travellers. Amongst Indians who have visited Australia, the destination maintained its top rank as the world’s best food and wine destination. Indians who have not visited the destination ranked Australia amongst the top five destinations associated with good food and wine.

For the month of December 2016, Australia welcomed 29,500 visitors Indian visitors, recording a growth of 13.5%, thereby registering the highest ever visitation in any given month. Total arrivals for the year ended December 2016 stood at 260,000; an increase of 11.3% over the previous year.