Australian Lamb is thrilled to announce that Conor Hanlon of The Dutch at W South Beach won the first annual Miami Spring Fling.

A panel of food media members and blogger judges tasted and selected his winning dish, Australian Lamb Saddle with Goat Cheese Polenta and Romesco, as the favorite. As the grand prize winner, Chef Hanlon will be flown to Australia for to visit the continent’s beef and lamb production regions, and visit to Sydney to experience Australia’s multi-cultural dining scene. 

“I love Aussie lamb because it has a remarkably clean flavor and is nice and lean,” says Chef Hanlon. “Australia’s grading system takes quality to a whole other level; as a working chef I have confidence in its consistency every time.”

“I'm incredibly humbled to be included in this excursion to Australia, seeing where my ingredients come from is a huge priority for me. I look forward to seeing how the climate and terroir effect the quality and flavor.”

Conor Hanlon is the chef de cuisine at The Dutch Miami, and a rising star on the South Florida culinary scene. Having steadily risen through the ranks in the Daniel Boulud family of restaurants—Café Boulud in Palm Beach, DB Brasserie at the Wynn Hotel, and DB Bistro at the Marriott Marquis in Miami—Chef Hanlon earned the opportunity to be the chef for two-time James Beard Award winner Andrew Carmellini at his Miami outpost of The Dutch in 2011.

He now oversees all resort food and beverage operations at the W South Beach, from banquets to in-room dining, WET bar & grill, Beach Cabanas, Living Room, The Dutch, and Grove.