On behalf of The A ge Good Food Guide , may we introduce this year’s finalists for the Young Chef of the Year Award, presented by Smeg. Chosen by a panel of leading industry figures, it’s an award that has been handed out to a rising star on the Victorian restaurant scene for 44 years. The winner, to be announced on Monday, November 18, will join the ranks of some of the country’s most influential chefs, including Andrew McConnell (Gimlet, Cutler & Co.
, Supernormal) and Brett Graham (the Ledbury, London). This year’s super-talented bunch were drawn from a large field of entrants all under 30, and they blew judges away with their passion, skills and dedication. They also know a lot about eating out in this city.
So, as we congratulated them on the honour of reaching finalist status, we asked them to spill their secret knowledge about the Melbourne they know, love and enjoy the most. Kimberly Tang Omnia at Altis, Docklands What’s the best bargain around town you’ve found recently? Bloomwood on Exhibition Street is a stand-out in Melbourne’s pastry scene. It offers classic pastries like croissants, but its Asian-inspired viennoiseries, such as the corn cheese danish and the taro flower danish, are my favourites.
Specialty drinks like coconut iced matcha are turned into “Bloom-tinis”, garnished with mini-croissants. The rotating daily specials which might include the hot honey pepperoni pizza danish sell for $8 to $14 a pop. What’s your number-one hidden gem i.