Maria Rosella and her sister Nicci Bugeja from Lucia's. Picture: Tricia Watkinson Source: AdelaideNow
Chef of the year - Vincenzo LaMontagna. Picture: Tricia Watkinson Source: AdelaideNow
Emma Shearer with partner Lachlan Colwill of the Manse and Matt Preston. Picture: Tricia Watkinson Source: AdelaideNow
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A RESTAURANT with one of the state's youngest kitchen brigades and a cafe that has fed city shoppers for more than 50 years won two of the most prestigious prizes at the 2010 Adelaide Food Awards last night.
North Adelaide fine diner The Manse, where head chef Lachlan Colwill is only 24, was named Restaurant of the Year by guest presenter, MasterChef judge and columnist in Wednesday's Taste liftout Matt Preston.
Lucia's Pizzeria, which opened in the Central Market in 1957 and is still operated by the Rosella family, was declared Adelaide Food Legend. Chef of the Year was collected by Vincenzo LaMontagna from Vincenzo's Cucina Vera, which was also named best Italian restaurant.
More than 100 chefs and restaurant identities gathered last night at the home of The Advertiser, Keith Murdoch House, for the presentations.
Preston told those assembled that our restaurants were the equal of those interstate. "These awards are important because they highlight the best Adelaide has to offer," he said.
"That is a match for any other state capital. I get quite angry about the perpetuation of the myth that there is nowhere to eat in Adelaide.
"My advice to people is to come and eat."
The judges said The Manse was "a complete, polished package" with service and wine delivery matching the brilliant artistry of Colwill and his partner and dessert chef, Emma Shearer.
"If you reckon that fine dining is on its last legs, book into The Manse and marvel at what this young brigade has achieved," they said.
LaMontagna, who produces his own prosciutto and other smallgoods, was lauded for combining the skills passed on through generations of his family with more modern technical tricks.
Vincenzo's does not have a menu and the chef cooks what inspires him each night.
The award for Lucia's was presented to Nicci Bugeja and Maria Rosella, daughters of the original owner, Lucia Rosella.
"Few eateries in South Australia - in fact Australia-wide - embody a family history, next-generation spirit and heartbeat location like Lucia's," the judges said.
ADELAIDE FOOD AWARDS 2010
Restaurant of the year: The Manse
Chef of the year: Vincenzo LaMontagna, Vincenzo's Cucina Vera
Adelaide Food Legend: Lucia's Pizzeria
Best Italian: Vincenzo's Cucina Vera
Best Indian: The Spice Kitchen
Best Asian: T-Chow
Best Regional: Fino
Best contemporary dining: The Pot Food and Wine
Best new restaurant: Celsius
Best seaside restaurant: Bombora at Goolwa Beach
Best lunch in the CBD: Pranzo
Best community restaurant: Parwana Afghan Restaurant
Best cafe: Baretto Corte Caffe
Best pub meal: Gilbert Street Hotel
Best wine list: Appellation
Best service: Carlos Alvarez, The Pot Food and Wine
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