The winner of this award executes the highest standard of restaurant service, from attitude and skill to knowledge and personality.
Nikki Friedli, Africola, South Australia
When Nikki Friedli first met Duncan Welgemoed after she moved from the Northern Territory to Adelaide, her dirty jokes impressed the Africola chef so much he immediately hired her to work at his East Terrace eatery. A gung-ho, let's-rock-this attitude didn't hurt either, nor did a sparkling dry wit from growing up in a town like Alice. The 26-year-old restaurant manager knows how to read an audience, slinging mezcal shots to party-keen locals with the same energy she introduces first-time diners to the bold flavours from the South African-Australian kitchen. Whether it's with a pour of something fresh and new from the local-leaning wine list or a whip-fast one-liner, Friedli makes sure every customer leaves Africola with the world's biggest smile.
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