Rutherglen Restaurant Earns First Hat in Good Food Guide Awards

Strategic Insights -

After a devastating 14-hour power outage this summer, Rutherglen restaurateurs Erica and Matthieu Miller made significant changes to their business, leading to their first hat win in the 2026 Good Food Guide Awards. The couple, who launched Grace Bar and Eatery on Main Street about four years ago, had to dig deep to keep their business afloat after the outage drained their fridges and caused significant losses. They made fundamental changes to their operations, including altering their opening hours and saying no to non-essential activities, which ultimately led to a more relaxed and productive team.

Key Takeaways:

  • Erica and Matthieu Miller's Rutherglen restaurant, Grace Bar and Eatery, earned its first hat in the 2026 Good Food Guide Awards.
  • The restaurant's owners made significant changes to their business after a 14-hour power outage this summer, including altering their opening hours and saying no to non-essential activities.
  • The changes led to a more relaxed and productive team, with Erica attributing their success to the support of the Rutherglen community.
  • Matthieu Miller, a former sous chef at hatted restaurants, won his first chef's hat, with Erica saying it is a recognition of his hard work and dedication to their business.
  • The couple's restaurant, Milkin Kitchen, was a combination of their surnames, with Erica's maiden name being Rankin.
  • Beechworth fine dining restaurant Provenance retained its two-hat rating, while Brown Brothers kept its one-hat score.

Statistics:

  • The 2026 Good Food Guide Awards recognized the best people, players, and venues in the state's hospitality sector.
  • Among the major ward winners were The Flower Drum (Restaurant of the Year); Thi Le (Chef of the Year); Zareh (New Restaurant of the Year); North Fitzroy Arms (Pub of the Year); and Commonfolk Coffee (Cafe of the Year).
  • Red Hill establishment Tedesca Osteria picked up Regional Restaurant of the Year.
  • Brae, Amaru, Minamishima, and Vue de Monde retained their three-hat rankings.

Sources:

  • Jodie Bruton, "Erica and Matthieu Miller humbled to bring it home for Rutherglen" (exact source not available)