A DIVERSE range of foods and cooking styles helped Plantation Restaurant at The Hotel Cairns win the 2007 Australian Culinary Federation Best Restaurant title.

The Far North Queensland title was presented at Cairns International Hotel yesterday by TAFE tourism and hospitality manager Tracy Turner.

Head chef Lee Shaw said the restaurant catered for many tastes and had French, Asian and classical cooking styles.

"We aim to keep it simple," Mr Shaw said.

"Sometimes in cooking you can almost try and do too much."

Mr Shaw thanked his team of eight chefs, who he said had been together for less than a year.

He said French pastry chef Fred Seror, who specialises in deserts, played a vital role.

"We pretty much had the savoury foods covered but we made a big impression with the desserts," he said.

It was the second time Plantation Restaurant had won the top award.

Australian Culinary Federation Far North Queensland chapter president Brian Down said there had been close competition in 2007 and the standard of entries was high.

Although there was no further official federation competition, Plantation Restaurant has been offered the chance to compete in a cook off against other leading restaurants in Brisbane later this year.

Results: Best plantation restaurant Plantation Restaurant Cairns, Best service, Plantation Restaurant Cairns, Best food Nu Nu Restaurant, Palm Cove.