Excitement brews over best cafe award

Some of the best cafes in the region are vying with others across the country to be named cafe of the year in Australia.

A total of 20 cafes in Albany, Denmark and Mt Barker have entered the second Countrywide Cafe of the Year competition with a chance to win the $25,000 major prize.

Albany cafes Handasyde Strawberry Farm and Alkaline Cafe were last week announced as two of the first in the country to 100 votes in a flying start to the competition. The cafe with the most votes will win the cafe of the year title and $25,000, while each State winner will receive $5000.

Grande Food Services business manager Daniel Till said the competition was an opportunity for cafes to receive well-earned accolades for great food, coffee and customer service.

“Albany does not have the population of Perth or some of the large cities over east but what we do have is a passion for good coffee and desire to support our local community,” he said. “We need everyone to seek out a local cafe that is participating in this competition and we need them to take two minutes to cast their vote for their favourite cafe.

“I would love to see one of our regional cafes win cafe of the year or even cafe of the region, but this can only happen if coffee customers actively participate — and by participating they might win one of $500 drawn at the end.”

To vote for your favourite cafe, visit cwcafeoftheyear.com.au/vote. Winners will be announced on May 15.