Australian restaurateurs with Hellenic heritage shine at Gourmet Traveller Awards

·

Australians with Hellenic heritage were in the spotlight at the 2025 Gourmet Traveller Annual Restaurant Awards, with Angie Giannakodakis named Restaurant Personality of the Year for her pioneering work at Melbourne’s Taverna, and Chris Lucas’ Maison Bâtard crowned Best New Restaurant.

Giannakodakis, a fixture of Melbourne’s dining scene for over three decades, was celebrated for her multidimensional vision of hospitality. At Taverna, she has redefined Greek dining in Australia, weaving food, wine, art, and culture into an immersive experience.

Gourmet Traveller praised her as someone who “has championed the art of hospitality (and every element of it) for over three decades.”

Maison Bâtard, the Lucas Group’s latest venture, wowed judges with its extravagant four-level Parisian concept in Melbourne, combining French flair with the theatre and ambition that has become the Lucas hallmark.

The win further cements the Group’s place at the forefront of Australia’s restaurant landscape as it celebrates 30 years in the business.

The awards night, held for the first time in Tasmania at Hobart’s Henry Jones Art Hotel, brought together leading chefs and restaurateurs from across the country.

Other headline winners included Sydney’s seafood temple Saint Peter (Restaurant of the Year), Porcine’s Nik Hill (Chef of the Year), Brisbane’s +81 Aizome Bar (Bar of the Year), and Berowra Waters Inn (Readers’ Choice Icon Award).

Yet it was Giannakodakis and the Lucas Group who drew the loudest applause, recognised for setting new standards in creativity, vision, and excellence. Together, they embody the vibrancy and diversity of modern Australian dining – from the intimacy of Taverna to the spectacle of Maison Bâtard.

Source: Gourmet Traveller

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Loverdos wraps up Australian visit in Perth, celebrating Hellenic heritage and ANZAC friendship

Ioannis Loverdos has concluded his official tour of Australia and New Zealand with a visit to Perth, Western Australia.

Alleged child abductor placed in protective custody after Coburg church, pharmacy incident

A man, accused of attempting to abduct two children in Coburg, has been placed in protective custody amid concerns for his safety.

Jerusalem Patriarch welcomes US Vice President JD Vance to the Holy Sepulchre

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem received US Vice President JD Vance and his wife at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Thursday.

SA Attorney-General reveals reasons for appeal against Snowtown killer’s parole

SA’s Attorney-General has detailed the reasons behind his decision to appeal the Parole Board’s release of Snowtown killer James Vlassakis.

Konstantinos Argiros raises $150k for new Children’s Gallery at Melbourne’s Hellenic Museum

Konstantinos Argiros has raised $150,000 to support the creation of the Hellenic Museum's forthcoming Children’s Gallery, opening in 2026.

You May Also Like

TGH Exclusive: Patricia Koromvokis appointed as new Modern Greek Studies lecturer for Macquarie University

Dr Koromvokis discussed her academic goals for the Modern Greek Program at Macquarie University, and addressed variety of things with the Greek Herald including her life, her studies and her aims.

Maria Sakkari storms into US Open second round with dominant win

Maria Sakkari produced an emphatic performance to open her US Open campaign, defeating Germany’s Tatjana Maria 6-3, 6-2 in just 85 minutes.

Greek Australian students excel in final exams across Tasmania and the NT

Year 12 students in Tasmania and the Northern Territory received their final exam results last week and Greek Australians have excelled.