The seafood industry’s top retailers, restaurants, and suppliers have been recognised at the biennial Sydney Fish Market Seafood Excellence Awards, held at Sydney Seafood School.
The event was attended by 150 guests who saw the recognition of nine award categories, as voted by professionals and the general public alike.
The popular People’s Choice Awards including the categories of Best Seafood Restaurant; Best Fish and Chips; and Best Seafood Retailer at Sydney Fish Market; were put out to public vote with more then 5000 seafood fans voting across the three categories.
Winner of the Best Seafood Restaurant was Fish Café by Balgowlah Seafoods. Darron’s Seafood in Wamberal on the Central Coast was crowned with the title of Best Fish and Chips, while Claudio’s Quality Seafoods was voted the Best Seafood Retailer at Sydney Fish Market.
The individual honour of the night, the Star of the Sea Award, went to Brad Warren, executive chair of OceanWatch Australia. Warren was recognised for his service to the seafood industry, particularly in expanding OceanWatch into a nationally recognised organisation, and as a leader in environmental and social sustainability.
Niall Blair, NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Lands and Water, was in attendance and addressed the audience.
“Each year, more than half a billion dollars of economic activity is generated by the NSW seafood industry, and creates more than 4,000 jobs. The NSW Government is committed to guaranteeing the supply of sustainable and top quality seafood and ensuring a sustainable future for our valuable marine resources. We would like to applaud all winners and nominees, and congratulate the Sydney Fish Market for an outstanding awards night”, he said.
