The Sydney Morning Herald has celebrated the pinnacle of dining across New South Wales and the ACT with the 42nd annual Good Food Guide Awards, co-hosted last night at Carriageworks in Sydney alongside major co-presenting partners Oceania Cruises and T2 Tea.

The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Awards saw Stanmore institution Sixpenny awarded T2 Tea Restaurant of the Year, while head chefs and co-owners of South End, Hussein Sarhan and Alex Tong, took home the Oceania Cruises Chefs of the Year honour. Long-standing fine dining icon Peter Gilmore was celebrated with the prestigious Legend Award following his historic 23-year three-hat tenure at Quay.

Gathering a 500-strong crowd of leading restaurateurs, chefs, sommeliers, and hospitality innovators, the event highlighted Nine’s proven ability to connect premium commercial partners with highly engaged, affluent, and lifestyle-driven audiences across integrated publishing assets, digital subscription products, and live luxury brand experiences.

As co-presenting partners across both state mastheads, Oceania Cruises and T2 Tea delivered integrated brand footprints that spanned multi-platform digital takeovers, high-visibility event activations, curated on-site food and drink partnerships, and bespoke native content in both the print magazine inserts and the dedicated Good Food app.

Commercial Director – Publishing Sales at Nine, Ashleigh Thomas, said the momentum of the Good Food Guide Awards brand reinforces its position as the premier platform for prestige brand partnerships in Australia: “For more than four decades, the Good Food Guide has set the benchmark for Australian dining culture, remaining a trusted authority for millions of highly engaged subscribers and a powerful environment for our commercial partners. Live tentpole events, premium digital integrations through the Good Food app, and mass-reach print editions have become a formidable growth engine for Nine Publishing. Whether it’s connecting luxury travel partners like Oceania Cruises with high-spend cultural tastemakers, or integrating household premium names like T2 Tea directly into the daily habits of Australian food lovers, Good Food delivers an unmatched commercial canvas that drives sustained, full-funnel brand impact.”

Co-presenting partner Oceania Cruises highlighted the natural connection between destination travel, premium cuisine, and the country’s top dining talent.

Lisa Pile, Managing Director, Luxury Group Asia Pacific at Oceania Cruises said: “As the world’s leading destination and culinary-focused luxury cruise line, and home to The Finest Cuisine at Sea®, we are honoured to continue our longstanding partnership with the Good Food Guide Awards. On board our ships, we celebrate the finest quality produce through thoughtfully crafted menus and culinary experiences that showcase flavour and craftsmanship. Together with Good Food, we are proud to recognise the talent, innovation and dedication of the chefs and hospitality professionals who continue to shape Australia’s world-class dining landscape.”

Returning as co-presenting partner for a second consecutive year, T2 Tea activated across both state galas and supported key categories including Restaurant of the Year and Cafe of the Year.

Christelle Young, Managing Director at T2 Tea: said: “Making the everyday extraordinary is what we care about most at T2, and it’s why we have deep admiration for what Australia’s best cafes and restaurants do, day in, day out. We’re proud to be back as co-presenting partner of the Good Food Guide and Awards, and excited to raise a cup to celebrate the chefs, baristas and restaurateurs who are committed to elevating the everyday and adding a little extraordinary to all that they do.”

The Sydney ceremony follows The Age Good Food Guide Awards held at Melbourne’s Timber Yard earlier this month, uniting Australia’s twin dining capitals under Nine’s iconic Good Food Guides.

All reviews from The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age Good Food Guides – encompassing more than 500 independently reviewed venues in each state – are now available to subscribers via the Good Food app with both state mastheads inserting a free, gloss 56-page Good Food Guide magazine featuring the newly launched 100 Essential Restaurants list, connecting brand partners directly with Australian diners from the screen to the table.

THE 2027 GOOD FOOD GUIDE AWARD WINNERS

The 42nd Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Winners (NSW & ACT):

• Restaurant of the Year: Sixpenny (Stanmore)
• Oceania Cruises Chefs of the Year: Hussein Sarhan & Alex Tong (South End)
• Legend Award: Peter Gilmore
• Three-Hat Winners: Sixpenny and Saint Peter
• New Restaurant of the Year (presented by Aurum Poultry Co): Three Blue Ducks Burradoo
• Regional Restaurant of the Year: Muse Restaurant (Hunter Valley)
• T2 Tea Cafe of the Year: Taguan (Darlington)
• Bar of the Year: Vespertine
• Pub of the Year: The Carlisle Castle Hotel (Newtown)
• Drinks List of the Year: Saint Peter
• Sommelier of the Year: Zoe Brunton
• Service Excellence Award: Monique Guest (Saint Peter)
• Young Chef of the Year: Peter Fiander (Osteria Luna)
• The Bill Granger Trailblazer Award (presented by SevenRooms): Ahana Dutt (Kolkata Social)
• Food for Good Award: Lettuce Eat by Omnia Inclusive
• Critics’ Pick of the Year: AK’S Diner (Canberra)
• Cultural Change Champion: Venus Vinifera

The 46th Age Good Food Guide Winners (Victoria):

• T2 Tea Restaurant of the Year: Yiaga (East Melbourne)
• Oceania Cruises Chef of the Year: Hugh Allen (Yiaga & Vue de Monde)
• Legend Award: Joseph Abboud (Rumi)
• Three-Hat Winners: Amaru, Brae, Minamishima, Vue de Monde, and Yiaga
• New Restaurant of the Year (presented by Aurum Poultry Co): Roma (Melbourne CBD)
• Regional Restaurant of the Year: Barragunda (Cape Schanck)
• T2 Tea Cafe of the Year: Cham (West Melbourne)
• Bar of the Year: Three Horses
• Pub of the Year: Alpine Hotel Warburton
• Oceania Cruises Service Excellence Award: Ainslie Lubbock (Pt. Leo Estate)
• Young Chef of the Year: Kimberly Tang (Ca Com)
• Katie McCormack Young Service Talent Award: Kye Connors (Carnation Canteen)
• Sommelier of the Year: Charles Duan (Gaea)
• Drinks List of the Year: Cote Basque
• Trailblazer Award: Samuel Fraraccio (The Brick Chef)
• Critics’ Pick Award: Sagye
• Food for Good Award: Combat MSA
• Cultural Change Champion: Safe Staff, Safe Venues

Tuesday 27 October, 2026