The Q Train, Ket Baker add more awards to local hospitality scene

Major hospitality and tourism awards have been granted to local vendors this week in recognition of their outstanding efforts.

The Bellarine’s fine dining destination and railway experience, The Q Train Bellarine has had a hot streak the last two months. Playing host to celebrity culinary icon, Gordon Ramsay, and his fellow judging panel and contestants for a special site specific episode of Masterchef USA, The Q Train received global recognition. Now they have been recognised by the Victorian & Tasmanian Restaurant and Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence 2025.

In an award ceremony on Monday 1 September, the team received a notable nod, taking out the Tourism Restaurant category for Victoria and Tasmania. As sponsored by Victoria Tourism Industry Council, the category acknowledges thriving restaurants who are contributing to tourism on both a state and local level. Fellow nominees in the category were the Golden Nugget Restaurant in Maldon and OH YA in Rosebud.

 

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The awards further saw Daylesford’s Kadota take home two awards; The Premium Dining category as sponsored by American Express, and the Coopers sponsored, Japanese Restaurant; and another regional winner came from The Pickled Sisters Café, Rutherglen who won the Café Dining division.

The full list of winners and nominees for the Restaurant and Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence 2025 can be found here.

This week also saw fellow Geelong and Bellarine based business, Ket Baker sweep award nominations for the Sansoniverse Awards 2025.

 

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The artisan bakery known for their sourdough croissants has been nominated in two categories at the Aaron Sansoni namesake awards. The awards aim to recognise innovation, leadership, and impact in hospitality within the Aaron Sansoni community. Ket Baker is nominated for the Innovation Award and the Brand Excellence Award.

Keep up to date with Ket Baker on their awards journey here and find out more about the Aaron Sansoni-led Awards here.

It all highlights the distinguished, high quality gastronomic output our regional Victorian landscape offers.

Keep up to date with the latest in food and drinks across regional Victoria here.