Punit Fernandes, Executive Chef at PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne’s Ginger Restaurant, has been named Chef of the Year at the 2024 AHA National Awards for Excellence, marking the hotel’s first-ever win in this prestigious category. The awards, which celebrate the best of Australian hospitality, saw over 300 nominees from 243 venues across 48 categories, highlighting the exceptional talent in the industry.
A major milestone for both Fernandes and PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne, the award recognises the stand out elements of Ginger Restaurant and Enoteca Bar and Lounge, spearheaded by Fernandes in his role. This includes its family-style dining experience, reminiscent of Asian culture, and the sourcing and utilisation of local and seasonal ingredients..
‘I’m humbled to win this award—it really speaks to the hard work of the amazing team at Ginger. We’re all about celebrating Asian and Singaporean flavours, using the best local, seasonal ingredients. This recognition is truly a team effort, and I’m excited for what’s next,” said Fernandes.
Fernandes’ culinary journey has been shaped by his work with some of the industry’s leading names, including Neil Perry, John Lawson, and Adam D’Sylva. With an award-winning track history, Fernandes was named San Pellegrino Young Chef of the Year in 2015 and won Time Out Magazine’s Chef of the Year in 2016.
