French master fosters talent

Fresh from his admission to the Restaurant and Catering Industry Association’s hall of fame, Alain Fabrègues says he wants to give new talent a helpful “nudge” in 2005.

Mr Fabrègues, proprietor of The Loose Box in Mundaring, told Gusto he was keen to continue diversifying and wants to incorporate the services of Perth’s up-and-coming chefs more often into his successful gastronomic evenings.

One such chef, Theo Kalogeracos from Little Caesar’s Pizza in Mundaring, winner of the World’s Best Pizza award in 2004, recently made a guest appearance at one of Mr Fabrègues’ presentations.

On March 10 Mr Fabrègues will be joined by Chris Salans from Balinese restaurant Mozaic, who will entertain food lovers with his style of modern international Balinese cuisine.

“I want to back up local talent, the young generations who are coming through now,” Mr Fabrègues says.

“It is not happening [promotion of local talent]. They are not stepping out, they need a bit of a nudge.”

These gastronomic evenings are set to become a permanent feature amidst Mr Fabrègues’ standard menu, which highlights classic and contemporary French flair.

Mr Fabrègues says he is genuinely humbled, not to mention surprised, by the Alinta Hall of Fame Award for his valued contributions to the restaurant industry in Western Australia.

Mr Fabrègues and his wife, Elizabeth, established their famed restaurant in Perth’s hills more than 20 years ago and it has never been recognised as anything but the finest destination for French food at its best.

 “I’ve been cooking for 40 years and it is an honour to be recognised by your peers,” says Mr Fabrègues, who was told by R&CIA officials he was at the awards to receive an award for the Loose Box.

“I had a speech ready for the restaurant but not just for me,” he says.

“I did not expect to be recognised as an individual. I was surprised and honoured.”

The French-born, classically trained chef differentiates his Hall of Fame induction from his many past achievements, recognising that it is an honour, not merely an achievement, to garner such esteem in a field of expertise.

Mr Fabrègues was not the only winner at the RCIA Awards held earlier this month. The prestigious annual event, now more than 20 years old, recognises excellence in the field of hospitality across more than 45 specific categories.

Winners included Leederville’s Turkish delight Eminem whose chef, Ismail Tosun, claimed the Best Speciality Restaurant and Outstand-ing Informal Dining Restaurant of the Year awards.

Chef/owner Neal Jackson of Highgate’s Jackson’s restaurant again claimed the Best Fine Dining Restaurant Award.  Jackson also secured the ‘Harry Ferrante’ trophy awarded to the Most Outstanding Restaurant for a fifth straight year.

Alain Fabregues*

Loose Box

• Best Restaurant in Australia (1999), American Express.

• Remy Martin Best Restaurant in Australia (1995) Gourmet Traveller.

• RCA Best Restaurant in Western Australia (2000).

• Gold Plate Award (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 Prix d’honneur).

• American Express Award (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994; Hall of Fame 1995, 1996, 1997; award winner 1998, 1999, 2000; Hall of Fame 2001, 2002, 2003; Best of Hall of Fame 2002)

• Gourmet Traveller Award, WA Finalist (1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002).

Personal accolades

• ‘Chef of the Year’ four times and recipient of the Salon Culinaire Gold Medal every year between 1980 and 1989;

• In 1991 Mr Fabrègues became a holder of the prestigious ‘Meilleur Ouvrier De France’, an award of such prestige that it prevents its recipient from entering future personal competitions.

• In May 2003, Mr Fabrègues was awarded his second French knighthood by decree of French President Jacques Chirac.

* List not conclusive