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XBLANCO HORNERMcLaren Vale
Forty years of hospitality. Two restaurants. Two Michelin stars.For 40 years, Blanco Horner Hospitality Group has brought South Australian stories to the table through the places we celebrate, the producers we champion and the people who welcome our guests. Today, Restaurant Botanic and Esmay each hold a Michelin star. Two distinct identities, united by a longstanding commitment to hospitality and a belief that the most memorable dining experiences have a story worth sharing. For Lancemore McLaren Vale, we bring that same instinct: to translate the character of a region into an experience guests feel connected to, remember and return for.
Hospitality expertise. Proven in practice.Blanco Horner Hospitality Group is a leading catering, events, and hospitality management company in Adelaide, South Australia. Their suite of catering divisions, restaurants, and venues offers unforgettable food, wine, and event experiences with a garden-to-plate philosophy. The company has won multiple local and national awards, including Caterer of the Year, Café of the Year, and Restaurant of the Year. Our two flagship restaurants, Esmay at the historic Hackney Hotel and Restaurant Botanic in the 51 acre Adelaide Botanic Garden most recently each winning a Michelin Star in the inaugural Michelin Awards presented in Australia. Recently opened 900 square metres HACCP approved kitchen and central office provide kitchen facilities and support for our city-based function venues, and airline catering for Gate Gourmet clients Virgin Airlines and United Airlines. Blanco Horner offers an award-winning dining and catering experience, and consulting hospitali management services. With over 165 professional staff, including operation managers, executive chefs, marketing and business development management, human resource and training management, accounting management, and with a clear succession plan in place, they will continue to expand, and be relevant in the Hospitality Industry for many years to come. Blanco Horner's mission is to exceed their client expectations and provide exceptional hospitality solutions to their partners. Previous consultancy experience relevant for the Lancemore Hotel Mclaren Vale project for Mitolo Winery, Cellar Door, Little Wolf (Michelin Select Restaurant) and Frankies Restaurants at McLaren Vale and Alere Café, Restaurant and Function Centre at Flinders University provide us with experience in the local southern vales area.A shared commitment to exceptional experiences.
New beginnings built on experience.Bringing a restaurants story to life, from concept to opening.202120242025Restaurant BotanicBotanic LodgeEsmayA complete reimagining.In July 2021, Botanic Gardens Restaurant reopened as Restaurant Botanic following an extensive renovation with Williams Burton Leopardi. A new name, redesigned dining room, open kitchen and renewed culinary direction brought the garden into sharper focus, creating an experience centred on its remarkable setting.The historic Simpson’s Kiosk was transformed into Botanic Lodge, opening in September 2024 with Chef Tom Tilbury. A sympathetic redesign by Williams Burton Leopardi preserved the building’s charm while introducing a relaxed restaurant experience— giving the lakeside setting a distinct identity and a new reason to visit.A familiar place, a fresh identity.In December 2025, we partnered with chef Alanna Sapwell to give her travelling restaurant, Esmay, a permanent home in the historic Hackney Hotel. A thoughtful renovation retained original heritage details while creating an intimate dining room that reflects the warmth, nostalgia and personal character of her cooking.A travelling story put down roots.
Best Restaurant (CBD) Adelaide Dining Magazine Awards · 2026 Hot 50 Restaurants Selection The Australian · 2025One MICHELIN Star MICHELIN Guide South Australia · 2027 Australia’s Restaurant of the Year Gourmet Traveller · 2023 South Australia’s Restaurant of the Year Gourmet Traveller · 2022 & 2023 Chef Hat Awards · 18/20 Australian Good Food Guide · 2026 Chef Hat Awards · 19/20 Australian Good Food Guide · 2024 & 2025 Australia’s Best Food & Wine Matching List Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards · 2024 & 2025 Australia’s Best Non-Alcoholic/ No-Lo Alcohol List Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards · 2024 - 2026One MICHELIN Star MICHELIN Guide South Australia · 2027 South Australia’s Restaurant of the Year Gourmet Traveller · 2026B O TA N I C L O D G ERecognition across our group.Blanco Horner Hospitality GroupCelebrating excellence in food, wine and hospitality.R E S TA U R A N T B O TA N I CE S M AYB L A N C O H O R N E R C AT E R I N GNATIONAL AWARDS (Restaurant & Catering Awards) National Café of the Year 2019 - Café Alere National Café Dining of the Year 2018 - Café Alere National Bronze Events Caterer 2019 – Blanco Catering National Event Caterer of the Year 2008, 2016 – Blanco Catering National Contemporary Restaurant of the Year 2017 - Botanic Gardens Restaurant STATE AWARDS (Restaurant & Catering Awards) South Australian Event Caterer of the Year 2003 -2005, 2007 - 2009, 2015, 2016, 2018 - Blanco Catering South Australian Hall of Fame 2006, 2010, 2016 - Blanco Catering
P R O J E C T O V E V I E WLancemore McLaren ValeA new luxury hotel bringing together accommodation, dining, wellbeing and celebration in the heart of McLaren Vale.G U E S T R O O M S124P L A N N E D O P E N I N GSEPT 2027T H E S E T T I N GT H E A U D I E N C ET H E F O O D & B E V E R A G E O P P O R T U N I T YSignature restaurant, lounge and bar; wellness and spa; wedding and event venues; conferencing and outdoor experiences.Local diners and residents, interstate and international travellers, wedding parties, conference and corporate guests.Create compelling reasons to visit and return, supported by validated demand, clear market positioning and commercially sound concepts. Refine the operator’s initial concepts in response to the principal’s assessment.
How we work.We work directly with key stakeholders and decision makers, enabling clear communication and timely decisions. Our approach keeps the client in control and focuses resources on agreed priorities.01Market validation & strategic assessmentReview existing architectural plans, interiors, venue layouts and equipment procurement. Agree commercial goals, guest experience objectives and initial cuisine direction. Research selected food and beverage concepts and styling options. Review findings with key decision makers and refine selected options. Develop indicative commercial budgets and profitability scenarios.02Concept development & experience strategySelect the direction for each food and beverage operation. Define cuisine philosophy, menu direction, venue stories and guiding principles. Develop a shared mission statement across the venues. Explore potential chefs and key operators. Develop branding and marketing strategies, including naming, uniforms, merchandise and styling. Review serviceware, furniture and décor to complement the concepts. Seek stakeholder approval of each venue’s concept, experience and direction.03Final food & beverage strategyPresent the agreed venue concepts, market validation, naming recommendations, budgets, and food and beverage direction. Provide a handbook incorporating venue philosophies and operational procedures. Set out an implementation timeline.FURTHER SUPPORTRecruitment supportOperator negotiationsImplementation though to openingPost-opening sales, costs and operational review·· ·
Our proposal.L A N C E M O R E X B L A N C O H O R N E R$3,000+ G S T p e r w e e ka p p r o x i m a t e l y 1 5 h o u r s p e r w e e k26-week programmeI n d i c a t i v e p r o g r a m m e f e e$78,000 + GSTA clear path from strategy to concept.T H R E E C O R E D E L I V E R A B L E S01Market validation & strategic assessment02Concept development & experience strategy03Final food & beverage strategy packageYO U R C O N S U LT I N G T E A MSteve BlancoElana CervantesD i r e c t o rA s s o c i a t e$ 2 5 0 p e r h o u r$ 1 5 0 p e r h o u rDirect collaboration with your key stakeholders throughout the programme.