Foodies need to do a double take when they visit Penrith as fine dining experiences put the region on the map.
Riverside dining destination, Sinclair’s, is evidence of the increasing food quality in the west, awarded a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Hat on November 11.
Sinclair’s Head Chef Scott Mills began working at the restaurant above the Log Cabin in February 2022 and takes great pride in the award.
“Since I got to Sydney, I had to work at a hatted restaurant, and actually earning one is euphoric in a sense,” Mills said.
“It’s a great privilege that I’ve been able to come out to Penrith, and I’ve been here for almost two years, and I’ve been able to bring the food scene an extra dynamic now.
“I’ve been able to prove to my peers, the people that work in Penrith as well, that it can be done, it’s not unachievable, good food and good service is here”
An even bigger source of pride for the chef is the restaurant’s use of local produce.
“Penrith is a proud little town,” Mills said.
“It’s been a passion of mine for the last six years developing local knowledge with suppliers and produce.”
Supporting local producers is also a passion for Managing Director of Sydney Direct Fresh Produce Luke Kohler and Group Executive Chef at Laundy Hotels Jamie Gannon, who together developed the concept of Sinclair’s.
“Originally it was supposed to be suppliers within 100km, and then Luke sat down and had a look with his connections and said, ‘No, we can do this within 50km,’ and then they started building those relationships with suppliers around the place like Grima Brothers, Glossodia Herbs, Game Farm, Pepe’s Ducks – all these things that we feature on the menu now,” Mills explained.
Food reviewers gave Sinclair’s a score of 15 out of 20 based on food, hospitality, value, setting and experience.
Mills said the award is not only a testament to the food, but to the team, whose motto is, ‘Exceed expectations, fuel passion, inspire innovation’.
Ally Hall
Ally Hall joined the Weekender in 2024, and focuses on entertainment and community stories. She's a graduate of the University of South Australia and has previously worked as a Video Journalist with Southern Cross Austereo and as a News Reader with Australian Radio Network.