State finalists for the Lexus Appetite for Excellence Young Chefs and Young Waiters awards have been announced.
The 2008 state finalists will compete for the national award in June.
Robert Withnall, chef at The Hyatt Regency's Gershwin's is Western Australia's 'young chef' state finalist, and Star Anise's Laura Broadbent the 'young waiter' state finalist.
On June 30, a judging panel made up of renowned food industry personalities, including Fraser's Chris Taylor and Indiana's Garry Williams, will select the winner in each category based on a cook-off for the chefs, and a skills test for the waiters.
---
The popular Albany's Farmers Market is getting noticed on a national level with the Vogue Entertaining + Travel Australia produce awards giving their inaugural award for 'best farmers' market' to the Great Southern institution.
The award recognises the people who organise the markets and bring together growers and consumers.
The weekly market, which has been operating for seven years, is held in a car park in the heart of Albany every Saturday, with more than 30 local producers selling everything from yabbies to bio dynamic vegetables.
---
More plaudits for the WA wine industry recently with Margaret River's Clairault Wines winning 10 medals at the 2008 International Wines Challenge held in London.
The winery won two gold medals for Clairault Sauvignon Blanc 2007 and Clairault Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, the only gold medals awarded to WA wines in this competition.
According to the company, the wine quality improved thanks to the low intervention approach and biological farming techniques introduced into the estate's vineyards five years ago, along with the winemaking skills of Will Shields, of course.