MELBOURNE
Spices 29, a Goan Indian restaurant at Woy Woy, has won an award at the 2024 NSW Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence for the second year in a row.
Renowned for its exquisite and authentic Indian cuisine, Spices 29 recently been awarded the prestigious Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence in the Regional NSW category for New South Wales 2024.
THE AWARDS
Spices 29 has also been awarded as the most outstanding Restaurant on the central Coast by the Local Business Awards 2024. Besides, it was recommended as the Best Restaurant in Woy Woy by Restaurant Guru 2024 and was selected as the finalist for BX excellence in business for 2024.
Spices 29 was also awarded the prestigious Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence in the Regional NSW category for New South Wales in 2023 and was awarded Bronze award by Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence Australia 2023 for nationals.
The Awards for Excellence is a nationally recognised programme that celebrates exceptional service and culinary talent across the state and country.
Restaurants are assessed on the entire dining experience including, food, beverage, service and restaurant presentation. Caterers are assessed on all aspects of their catering business including operations, food, service, staffing and event/site outcomes to determine the catering category winners.
Restaurants, cafés and catering businesses gathered to celebrate the achievements of their peers and the announcement of the award winners at an event hosted by the Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA).
Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) is the industry association representing tens of thousands of restaurant and catering businesses across Australia.
THE REACTIONS
Restaurant owners, Nelson Fernandes and Selma Rocha, are celebrating the success with the team and are grateful to the community for their support.
“Two years in a row is amazing, we should buckle up for the third now”, says Nelson.
Added Selma: “Winning the prestigious Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence is a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to culinary artistry and guest satisfaction.”
“This is a great day for our business because of the constant support from our customers and the team work. It has been our pleasure and a great opportunity to be able to compete against all big businesses”, says Selma.
Restaurant managers, Alex and Shiwangi, believe that the award serves as a great motivation for the team to strive for even better.
Said Shiwangi, the Restaurant Manager, “At Spices 29, we have always strived to serve the best food and service.”
“Winning is a wonderful thing, however, the focus is to be constantly becoming better. For us, this achievement is a milestone which is the sweet fruit of our hard work over the years, she adds further.
The chefs, Praveen and Amarjeet, consider the achievement as a win for Indian flavours.
“It gives us pleasure to serve food that people love, we take pride in Indian cooking and will keep doing our best”, they stated.
Praveen said, “people come here to celebrate, and it is our duty as a team to offer them the best. I take pride in working at Spices 29 and will always ensure that our pride and celebration grows”.
The restaurant staff, Velia and Sue, said they can’t wait for another year to stand as winners again.
THE RESTAURANT
The restaurant’s been garnering praises over the last seven years and this award comes as another feather to the cap.
According to Nelson Fernandes and Selma Rocha, Spices 29 lives up to its name with a menu that dazzles the palate and a dining experience that captivates the senses.
“The restaurant’s dedication to excellence extends beyond the kitchen. The attentive and knowledgeable staff ensures that every guest feels welcomed,” said Nelson.
“Our award-winning menu features a range of dishes that celebrate chosen ingredients and Indian culinary traditions to deliver flavours that amaze. For those looking to experience a slice of culinary brilliance, Spices 29 is ready to welcome our patrons with an unforgettable meal.”
Nelson said that the enthusiasm and dedication shown by the staff over the last seven years of the business have been the biggest factors contributing to the win.
He further adds that the coast has always been a wonderful place filled with loving patrons and boundless opportunities.
THE EFFORTS
Nelson’s dedication to the business and the success of the restaurant are testament to the opportunities that arise if one is passionate.
“I have been working in the hospitality industry for over 20 years myself, and it always is an absolute pleasure to be able to bring delicious food and warm service to the clients”, says, Nelson.
As migrants who moved to Australia, Nelson and Selma has their own struggles but their hard work and determination has made the business an ever-glowing star.
In his message to Goan youngsters around the world, Nelson stated that if they put in hard work, they can be successful in any part of the world.
