www.jenolancaves.org.au Media Release – August 2010 Chisolm’s Restaurant, at Jenolan Caves, is now Award-Winning! Although Jenolan Caves is Australia’s most famous cave system, less known for nearly 100 years, is Jenolan’s historic restaurant - Chisolm’s. Now Chisolm’s has been honoured by a well-deserved award – for ‘Tourism Restaurants & Catering’ in the Blue Mountains Tourism Awards of Excellence 2010. The rambling 4-storey hotel, Jenolan Caves House, between Oberon and Lithgow, was designed in 1897, by Walter Liberty Vernon, in the Federation Arts & Crafts style, as a wilderness retreat for the rich. Vernon included an enormous dining room - now Chisolm’s Restaurant, named for a former housekeeper, who, rumour has it, still haunts the place. Chisolm’s caters for wedding receptions, special occasions, corporate dinners, romantic couples, families and tourists from all over Australia and the world. Everyone, from very supportive locals to celebrities and international visitors, expect high quality. The caves themselves are dazzling, with thrilling underground experiences. The heritage-listed hotel brims with atmosphere. Raising expectations even further, visitors step through Chisolm’s elegant entrance into another world. In graceful Victorian style, Chisolm’s grand features create a high expectation of the coming meal. Those expectations are met by new chef, Michael Frenett, trained in the restaurants of prestigious resorts such as the Park Hyatt in Colorado, Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta and Westin Whistler in British Columbia. Last year, Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust, decided to invest in training and staff who share a goal in returning Chisolm’s to her glory days. Since splendid beginnings, Chisolm’s has seen ups and downs, particularly in the 90s. This award will be a springboard to further success. There are other good reasons why Chisolm’s won the ‘Tourism Restaurants & Catering’ award. To revive interest in the historic restaurant, James Brady, used imagination, hard work and took risks, such as themed dinners, which have grown in popularity. Celebrity author, Tara Moss, was recently spotted at one such dinner, which featured a Victorian- themed menu, and commemorated Jenolan’s first VIP visit in 1887 by Lord and Lady Carrington. At another dinner, the menu featured rare black truffles, a product of Oberon, demonstrating Chisolm’s support for the produce of its region. Chisolm’s supports local wines, through lavish and informative ‘winemakers dinners’. It now even has a wine cellar hidden in a secret location, inside one of the famous caves. Most of Chisolm’s customers are ordinary people. Many have travelled half way around the world to explore the famous caves. Cost-effective packages (dinner, bed, breakfast & cave tour) help to bring Chisolm’s fare into the tourist price range. Also recently, Chisolm’s launched ‘Country Luncheon’ – a delicious, lower priced, 2-course luncheon, served in magnificence and free of charge for children under age 6. Now, Chisolm’s staff will soon be working not only in an award-winning restaurant, at an award-winning tourist destination - but in a brand new kitchen. Chisolm’s is serviced by an immense kitchen – the size of a modest house. Built in 1926, it is finally getting a total makeover, bringing it in line with 21st century food service standards. James Brady, said, “When the renovations are complete, our kitchen will rank with those of Australia’s best restaurants.” The kitchen makeover should finish this October, in time for the NSW school holidays, followed by Jenolan’s L’Affaire de Printemps, where visitors can “indulge their passions in a ‘Springtime Affair’- Music! Food! Wine!”. There is always something new at Jenolan Caves! Visit www.jenolancaves.org.au. For media information or interviews, contact James Brady on 02 6359 3908 (or 0488 291 488 or email [email protected] . Images can be downloaded from http://www.mediafire.com/?ghlg2tg294kly Chisolm’s ready for a wedding – image by Instinctive Images. Jenolan Caves House, set in mountain wilderness. Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust A happy, Jenolan Caves Food & General Manager, Peter Austen, Beverage Manager, James Brady, thanks the judges for the accepted the Tourism Restaurants & Tourism Restaurants & Catering Catering award. award. .