AFTER opening just five months ago, Cam St Social in Wembley has been named Best New Restaurant at the Restaurant and Catering Awards for Excellence.
The independent nomination and win took owners Darren and Esther Walker by surprise but the Hillarys couple knew they had a winning formula when they opened the doors in April this year.
As the name suggests, the Walker’s want diners to use their space for socialising and the rotation of customers on their couch one night last week proves the message is loud and clear.
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Mrs Walker said a couple enjoying tapas and a glass of wine kicked off the evening and they were followed by a duo ordering dessert who were replaced with girlfriends ordering coffee.
“Cam St Social suits large bookings, date night, family dinner, coffee catch ups and uni students studying,” she said.
“We just want people to feel comfortable.”
Claremont bistro and wine bar Billie H was named Restaurant of the Year and received the Beer Caf/Wine Bar award while Bistro Felix’s Amane Mori was named Chef of the Year and Giuseppe Pagliaricci from Perugino was named a Lifetime Achiever.
The Site/Industrial Caterer award went to Chartwells at Presbyterian Ladies College.