Australian culinary hero Alla Wolf-Tasker has accepted the Gourmet Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Icon Award for her Daylesford restaurant Lake House, which celebrated its 40th anniversary recently.

Introduced last year, the Icon Award is the only award voted for by the public.

“What Alla and her family created at Lake House really established the archetype for Australian regional dining that continues to inspire and inform chefs and restaurateurs across the country,” Gourmet Traveller editor Joanna Hunkin said.

“Alla’s vision and hospitality has been shaping the industry for 40 years – and welcoming diners with warmth and care has been Lake House’s signature since day one.”

Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Kyle Barnes/Supplied

Tourism stalwarts Carol White, Tina Banitska and Alla Wolf-Tasker, will be the guests of honour when the Rotary Club of Daylesford celebrates its 70th anniversary next month.
Carol created and owns Lavandula at Shepherds Flat. She bought the property 35 years ago and started out with just 1000 lavender bushes.

Carol then started up European-style festivals which saw up to 10,000 people attending.
“The police told us we had to stop because we had cars banked up on all the roads,” she told The Local.
Carol decided early this year that it was time to move on and Lavandula is now for sale.
Tina created and owns The Convent in Daylesford. It was in 1975 when she first saw the old building. She knew then one day it was going to be one of the best galleries in Australia – which it became after she bought it in 1988 from the Presentation Sisters.

Alla created and owns Lake House in Daylesford. An icon in regional dining, Lake House has long been
considered to be one of Australia’s best restaurants, championing local seasonal cuisine long before it became a mantra for many. Alla is widely credited for getting regional destination dining started in Australia – against all odds.
The celebrations will be held at the Daylesford Town Hall on Saturday, September 23 from 6.30pm. Tickets are $60. To book a ticket contact Danny Moynihan on 0407 501 994. Tickets are selling fast and the cut-off date is September 13.