More than 300 hospitality industry guests gathered at the Adelaide Convention Centre on 18 August, to celebrate the South Australian Restaurant & Catering Australia (RC&A) Hostplus Awards for Excellence.
Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed a gala dinner with local brews courtesy of Adelaide’s famed Coopers Brewery as Channel 7 Adelaide’s Mark Soderstrom proudly presented Awards from across 25 categories.
The event is the South Australian hospitality industry’s night of nights with industry leaders, operators and hospitality professionals from across SA coming together.
R&CA National President John Hart OAM said: “South Australia has a distinct culinary and hospitality scene, influenced by European traditions and driven by operators who take immense pride in their craft from the Barossa and Clare Valleys to the vibrant streets of Norwood, North Adelaide, and the Hindmarsh Valley, this year’s South Australian Award winners exemplify the very best of this region. Every Winner here tonight, deserves to celebrate this incredible milestone.”
Each winner is independently assessed against rigorous criteria including; food, service and presentation. Caterers are judged on operations, staffing, event execution and client delivery.
SA 2026 Major Award Winners
Caterer of the Year, sponsored by American Express
National Wine Centre, Adelaide
National Wine Centre General Manager Simon Burges said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the Caterer of the Year in South Australia at the Restaurant and Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence. We are both humbled and proud to be here, amongst our highly respected industry peers. It’s an honour to have the hard work and dedication of our team rewarded and acknowledged.”
Restaurant of the Year, sponsored by Hostplus
Hentley Farm Restaurant, Seppeltsfield
Marketing and Communications Manager Jessica Jenner said: “I am so proud that Hentley Farm Restaurant won the Restaurant of the Year and Best Restaurant in a Winery Awards. This is an enormous achievement for our whole team and we are honoured to have won two Awards. We look forward to the year ahead, as we continue to strive for excellence in everything we do for our members and guests.”
Casual Dining of the Year, sponsored by Hostplus
Pony & Cole, Hindmarsh
Co-owner Nicole Hanh said: “We won Best Cafe in Adelaide and followed it up with Best Casual Dining, I am humbled by this incredibly special moment – to win these two awards, is a testament to my staff and the commitment of our whole team, who work hard every day to bring their best.”
Highlights
- National Wine Centre, Adelaide claimed three awards -taking home Caterer of the Year, Events Caterer of the Year, Wedding Caterer of the Year and, an honourable mention in the Events/Convention Caterer and Venue Caterer category.
- Hentley Farm Restaurant, Seppeltsfield won 2 awards, Restaurant in a Winery and Restaurant of the Year.
- Mariners Ristorante, North Haven took home two awards – Best Italian Restaurant and best Seafood Restaurant.
- Est Ovest, Adelaide claimed a win in the Pizza Restaurant category.
- Concubine, Adelaide was awarded a win in the Chinese Restaurant category.
- The UPPside European Restaurant & Wine Bar, Penwortham took home the award for Best European Restaurant.
- Vasilli’s Table, West Beach celebrated a win for Best New Restaurant.
- Penobscot Restaurant, at the Watervale Hotel, Watervale, won the Award for Restaurant in a Pub/Club.
- Swagman Country Dining, Hindmarsh Valley took home the Tourism Restaurant Award.
- Full list of winners is attached.
The Hostplus Awards for Excellence is the restaurant and catering industry’s most prestigious national awards program, celebrating the industry operators and professionals across every state and territory of Australia.
The 2026 awards will culminate with a National Gala ceremony, at Doltone House in Sydney on 26 October 2026.
Sponsors
R&CA acknowledges the valued support of the 2026 program sponsors. Awards Diamond Partner: Hostplus.
About Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA)
Established in 1922, R&CA is the national industry association representing the interests of restaurants, cafes, and catering businesses across Australia.
