West Australian chefs are more creative and craftier as ever and foodies in the west are feasting on the benefits.
That's the view of Gourmet Traveller WA editor Max Veenhuyzen after six WA restaurants made the GT Top 100 - one of the country's most revered restaurant lists.
Indeed the scene in WA is bustling along nicely, with more local restaurants making the esteemed guide this year than Veenhuyzen can previously remember, thanks mostly to the quality of the cooks in the kitchen.
"West Australian chefs, on the whole, are more informed than ever," he said.
"In the past where there might have been a handful of locals with national and international kitchen experience, it's now pretty much a pre-requisite for anyone that wants to be taken as a serious cook.
"If you look at the CVs of the Hadleigh Troys, the Dan Fishers and Joel Valvasori-Perezas of the world, you'll find plenty of impressive appointments.
"I don't think it's a coincidence that these are the names behind some of Western Australia's most exciting food."
Sustainability activist Joost Bakker, who helped establish The Greenhouse in the Perth CBD, was awarded outstanding contribution to hospitality for his help to fight for zero waste.
"Back home... feeling very rusty after a very large night. Thank you Gourmet Traveller, incredibly humbled that you've given this award to me," he wrote on his Instagram account.
Maitre d of the year Vanessa Crichton, from Rosetta in Melbourne, also includes Rockpool Bar & Grill at Crown Perth as part of her beat, while wine list of the year winners Billy Kwong gets Margaret River winemakers Si Vintners to make a wine specifically for their list.
Comprising Sarah Morris and Iwo Jakimowicz, the duo biodynamically farm their vineyard, adding just a touch of sulphur during bottling.
The top WA restaurant was the indefatigable Restaurant Amuse at number 43 and Crown's Rockpool came in at 57, with owner Neil Perry's first franchise, in Sydney, taking out the top gong for 2015 restaurant of the year.
WAtoday.com.au food reviewer Gail Williams said it was fantastic six WA restaurants made the top 100.
"Given Perth has half the population of Melbourne and Sydney, it shows we are punching above our weight, especially when Amuse makes it to no. 43," she said.
"The usual suspects are there but I am surprised Wills Domain didn't make it because in my opinion that is one of the best restaurants in the state.
"Lalla Rookh was a good inclusion because it illustrates the nationwide trend towards a more casual style of dining focusing on good produce.
"But being in company with fine diners it shows that punters and, more importantly, the critics still recognise technical expertise and artistry, and award accordingly."
So as new restaurant offerings in the west evolved from tapas to shared plates, and now organic produce from farm to plate, what other trends are we likely to see in the next 12 months?
"Like the rest of the world, I think the mid-range is where a lot of the action is going to take place," Veenhuyzen said.
"Diners still want food cooked with care and smarts but we're happy to ditch the white tablecloths, suited waiters and other trappings of fine-dining, especially if it means getting away with a smaller bill.
"I think the market is also wide open for a proper yakitori joint grilling avian all-sorts... ditto a real-deal sushi counter like Satsuki had back in the day.
"As much as I'm a sucker for good – or even semi-good – sweet and sour pork, I'm thrilled with the steady growth in the regional Chinese sector too."
WA restaurants in the GT top 100:
43. Restaurant Amuse
51. Print Hall
57. Rockpool Bar & Grill
86. Co-Op Dining
94. Lalla Rookh
97. Vasse Felix
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2015 GT Top 100 winners:
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Rockpool, Sydney, NSW
CHEF OF THE YEAR
Dan Hunter, Brae, Birregurra
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO HOSPITALITY
Joost Bakker, sustainability activist
NEW RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Bennelong, Sydney, NSW
WINE LIST OF THE YEAR
Billy Kwong, Sydney
SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR
Raffaele Mastrovincenzo, Kappo, Sydney
MAÎTRE D' OF THE YEAR
Vanessa Crichton, Rosetta, Melbourne
BEST NEW TALENT
Lennox Hastie, Firedoor, Sydney
REGIONAL RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Three Blue Ducks, Byron Bay, NSW
BAR OF THE YEAR
The Gresham, Brisbane
THREE-STAR WINNERS:
The Bridge Room, Sydney
Sepia, Sydney
Vue de Monde, Melbourne
Momofuku Seiobo, Sydney
Quay, Sydney
Brae, Birregurra
Attica, Melbourne
Rockpool, Sydney
