Wentworth Falls Chinese restaurant, Canton Palace, is punching above its weight – even up there with the five-star Wolgan Valley resort – when it comes to making the list of culinary excellence compiled by Restaurant and Catering Australia.
The restaurant which serves everything from Goon Bo Tofu, Szechuan Eggplant and Pho to the traditional Chinese restaurant favourites like Peking Duck, Sweet and Sour Pork and Honey King Prawns is once again a finalist in the NSW 2018 Savour Australia Restaurant and Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence.
Canton Palace is one of three finalists in the NSW regional restaurant awards for chinese restaurants and is up against Lotus at Lighthouse in Port Macquarie and the New Bo Wa Chinese Restaurant in Moree.
The only other Blue Mountains finalist is Wolgan Dining Room, Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley for the regional restaurant in a hotel/resort category.
“Aren’t we lucky (to be in that company),” owner Brian Yiu said.
Judges visit the restaurant in secret and Mr Yiu said “sometimes it depends on luck... if they visit when you are having a good day,” but he added their patrons were not really swayed by awards.
The Canton Palace has won its category six times and been a finalist every year since 2008. It proudly displays its “six plates” at the bar.
“People just still come for the quality food, they don’t really look at that,” he said.
The award winners will be announced at a gala dinner at Sydney’s Luna Park on September 17.
The restaurant saw out their lease in Renae's Arcade and after three decades has now moved to a newer smaller building they own at 7 Station Street.
Restaurant and Catering Australia CEO Juliana Payne said the awards recognise hospitality operators who consistently provide exceptional service and culinary.
Ms Payne said the calibre of NSW finalists was “exceptionally strong and each of the finalists can be rightfully proud of their recognition as some of the best in their field”.
Renae’s Arcade in Wentworth Falls has several spaces up for lease through Raine and Horne Commercial Penrith. Agent Liz Turai has been tasked with finding new leasees and said there are no plans to develop the site.
“The shop where Canton Palace used to occupy is currently being advertised for $8,000 PM Net + GST. We will be looking for another amazing food user to occupy the premises for a long period.”
