Most Popular Club Meals Revealed

The most popular pizza in NSW is being served up at The Fraternity Club in the Illawarra, which was voted as the inaugural winner of the Perfect Pizza category for their Pizza Trevigiana.

Those with a sweet tooth should head down to Kiama Leagues Club, which took out the state-wide Best Dessert category for their Panna Colada.

First place in the competition’s state-wide ‘large club’ category was awarded to Bankstown Sports Club for their Herb Crusted Lamb Rack & Pappardelle, while The Fraternity Club scored their second award in the state-wide ‘medium club’ category for their Ravioli Di Pesce. In the state-wide ‘small club’ category, The Polish Club in Sydney’s inner west took home the top gong for their Bangalow Pork Schnitzel. 

The five state-wide winners and 13 regional winners were announced at the Perfect Plate Awards Night held at the Western Sydney Convention Centre at Panthers Penrith last night.

Consistently high performers have also been revealed, with The Ary Toukley now taking out first place in the Central Coast region for four out of the past five years, Club York winning first in the Eastern Metropolitan region four out of five years, and Bathurst RSL crowned first in the Central West region three out of four years.

From Broken Hill to Bundeena, Mudgee to Murwillumbah, 200 eateries from 171 clubs right across NSW created special competition dishes for the 2025 Your Local Club Perfect Plate Awards, with members and patrons invited to score the meals out of five and cast their votes between 2 May and 15 June. 

Over 98,300 Perfect Plate dishes were purchased by hungry diners, with the competition’s ambassadors — celebrity chefs Matt Moran and Courtney Roulston, and NRL legend Nathan Hindmarsh — visiting more than 60 participating clubs to meet the competing chefs and taste their creations.

“Every year, clubs continue to take it up a level when it comes to the quality of food, and this year was no exception. In fact, I’m thrilled that The Epping Club has taken out the top spot in the Northern Metropolitan region because they dished up some of the best Chinese food I’ve eaten not just in Sydney, but in the world,” said Moran, who started his career at Parramatta RSL.

“I was really impressed with the enthusiasm of the chefs I met as part of my Perfect Plate road trip. They were so passionate about what they created and I love how many of them chose to highlight local produce.”

Courtney said the diversity and creativity of club food has come a long way since she began her career working at Putney Bowling Club. 

“You can walk into your local club these days and find the sorts of dishes that in years gone by could only be found in a top-end eatery — and they are at a price point that people can afford,” she said.

“I loved getting out to clubs in Sydney and across regional NSW to taste their competition dishes. I was blown away by the originality of club chefs who were plating up everything from a Korean Fried Chicken Croissant to a Chilli Lobster Fettucine — delicious food that people can enjoy without breaking the bank.”

NRL legend and Perfect Plate ambassador Nathan Hindmarsh taste-tested up to eight Perfect Plate meals in one day — a role he thrived in. 

“It was a tough job, but someone had to do it!” he joked. 

“The calibre of competition dishes this year was outstanding. I’m particularly happy for The Fraternity Club taking home a double win. I tasted all their Perfect Plate entries and they were nothing short of fantastic.” 

ClubsNSW CEO Rebecca Riant said Perfect Plate, now in its fifth year, was an opportunity to shine the spotlight on the quality and diversity of club dining, and the dedicated chefs who work in the industry. 

“From a Red Miso Glazed Snapper to a Beef and Guinness Pot Pie, this year’s winners are as varied as they are innovative, and they show that there really is something for everyone at your local club!” said Ms Riant.

“Clubs are the perfect place to get together with friends and family, knowing that you can enjoy award-winning cuisine at affordable prices.

“Congratulations to all of the 2025 Perfect Plate winners and thank you to the thousands of patrons who visited their local club to sample the incredible competition dishes on offer.”

Diners could only vote for each Perfect Plate dish once, but they were encouraged to taste as many competition dishes at as many NSW clubs as possible to boost their chances of winning a prize. 

A $100 dining voucher was given away every day of the competition, while the two diners who voted for the most Perfect Plate dishes will each win a ‘foodie getaway’ for two valued at $3,500. The two winners will be announced later this month.

To find out more about the Your Local Club Perfect Plate Awards visit perfectplate.com.au. 

Full List of Winners

STATE-WIDE WINNERS

PERFECT PIZZA

BEST DESSERT

REGIONAL WINNERS