South-west restaurants pick up hats in The Age Good Food Guide

Held at the Plaza Ballroom among a star-studded chef and restaurateur crowd, Port Fairy’s Fen restaurant and Dunkeld’s Royal Mail Hotel were awarded two hat ratings out of a possible three, while Warrnambool’s Pickled Pig received one hat.

In its 37th year, The Age Good Food Guide visited and independently reviewed more than 500 restaurants, cafes and bars throughout Victoria.

Fen is owned by Ryan and Kirstyn Sessions, with Ryan in the kitchen as head chef.

Mrs Sessions said the business had been operating for 18 months and in March it was re-branded from The Stag to Fen.

“Our menu includes native and bush ingredients and seafood and it is all grown and produced in Australia,” she said.

All drinks including wine, spirits and soft drinks are also Australian. Sessions was also nominated for the Chef of the Year category.

“Just to have that nomination and be recognised is amazing,” Mrs Sessions said.

A spokesperson from the Royal Mail Hotel said the key to being able to deliver award-winning meals was the 1.2-acre kitchen garden, which is the largest restaurant kitchen garden in Australia.

Pickled Pig owner and chef Brenton Banner said it was exciting to receive a one-hat rating.

Banner completed his chef training in Melbourne at the George Colambaris-owned Press Club and Circa, the Prince.

“We serve modern, contemporary food,” he said. “It’s all about good flavours and fresh ingredients. We especially get excited at our food theme nights.”

He said the special nights were a chance to show off the kitchen’s skills with different cuisines and added that he couldn't do it without his chefs Kieran Russell and Lacey Moore. 

A new breakfast and lunch venue, called The back Shed, will open next Tuesday at the rear of the Pickled Pig under Banner’s helm.

Port Fairy favourites Coffin Sally, Drift House and Farmer’s Wife, along with Warrnambool’s Brightbird Espresso, Rough Diamond and Lucy are also mentioned in the guide. Birregurra’s Brae, run by celebrated chef Dan Hunter, won Restaurant of the Year. Igni in Geelong picked up two awards, including the Regional Restaurant award.