THE doors have closed on one of the South Coast's most awarded eateries. Laguna D'zur at Burrill Lake will close at the end of the month (January 31) with owners Kaibil and Andrea Velazquez are relocating in Melbourne

Kaibil Velazquez is planning to complete a master judges' program through the Australian Culinary Federation in March and is hoping to put his skills to good use as both a judge and a teacher. The decision to close the restaurant after five years had been a difficult one to make. His 'eclectic' approach to cooking - one that he describes as an "international/ethnical fusion" - would prove valuable in the classroom.

When Laguna D'zur eventually does reopen in Melbourne he plans to continue providing a "dining experience" with a focus on quality, not quantity. Focusing on the "finesse of dining" and believes visiting a restaurant should be an artistic as well as a nutritional experience.

It is some of that passion Mr Velazquez is hoping to share with younger chefs, many of whom see themselves as 'numbers' rather than individuals.

Mr Velazquez thanked local residents for their patronage over the years as well as the many local businesses - particularly those in Burrill Lake - that have supported his restaurant.

Laguna D'zur International was Burrill Lake's first Exquisite Dining Restaurant. International award winning chef Kaibil Velazquez, has been influenced and maintains contact with worldwide renown Chefs and Australia's master Chefs and chosen to be part of elite reputable award winning brigades like Palazzo Versace, Lynch's (Australia's only Restaurant to receive the Michelin gold statue), Simply French, Pieros crown Casino amongst many other fine dining establishments.

He said he had always worked hard to reciprocate that support and believes it is one of the main reasons Laguna D'zur has collected so many awards - including the South Coast's Tourism Restaurant of the Year in 2006.