Koji Bird in Bright named finalist for top regional restaurant award
Koji Bird, a Japanese izakaya in Bright, made the top five finalists for Regional Restaurant of the Year (Victoria).
Koji Bird in Bright was named a finalist for Regional Restaurant of the Year (Victoria) by The Age Good Food Guide for 2027. The restaurant earned one of five spots from about 80 regional venues reviewed across the state this year.
Reed & Co Distillery created it and offers casual Japanese izakaya dining. The pop-up launched at the Bright distillery in 2021 during spirit research and development with koji.
Koji is Japan's national fungus. Former chefs turned distillers Hamish Nugent and Rachel Reed put the product to good use.
The pair won the same award in 2014 for their restaurant Tani Eat & Drink. Reed & Co also won Champion Victorian Gin at the Australian International Spirit Awards last year.
Winners will be announced on 12 October.
- Top 5 from 80 regional venues
- Finalists
- 2021
- Launch year
- Bright, Victoria
- Location
- October 12
- Awards announcement
Why it mattersBeing nominated among five finalists from 80 regional restaurants is strong recognition for innovative regional dining.
AustraliaThe recognition puts a small High Country restaurant on the state's fine-dining map and highlights Victoria's regional food culture.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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