Leeuwin Estate 2026 Winner
While head chef Dan Gedge was named WAGFG Regional Chef of the Year in 2023, this wider recognition is borne out of consistency, calmness and a sense of purpose for this Margaret River high-achiever, which is no doubt in part to the long tenure of restaurant manager, Chantelle Able. As noted this year, there’s no lengthy treatise on ‘chef’s vision’ and, when asked about your meal, there’s a feeling that it’s out of genuine care, not merely a dot point on an order of service. Gedge is creative with his seasonal menus, yet shows restraint, which is harmonious with Leeuwin Estate and its canon. The family-owned feeling is palpable and, for those with local or industry knowledge, you’ll often spot the extended Horgan clan. The restaurant is a magnet for wine-focused visitors to the state; international in tenor, yet thoroughly of its place.
