The finalists for the 2018 Rotorua Hospitality Awards have been announced, with familiar faces and consistently good establishments vying for top spots.
Presented by the Restaurant Association of New Zealand, the Rotorua Hospitality Awards recognise the outstanding hospitality professionals all making a positive impact in the local hospitality scene. A large number of nominations were received from the industry across 16 categories, recognising those who work hard to achieve excellence in hospitality.
Marisa Bidois, Chief Executive of Restaurant Association says:
“Time and time again we are impressed by the number of nominations received and we see this as an endorsement that the Rotorua hospitality industry welcomes the awards as a means to support and recognise each other. It is a real tribute to the calibre of talent in Rotorua hospitality. To be selected by your peers as a leader in your category is a great honour in itself.”
Winners will receive a coveted “Chevron” trophy, representing a stripe indicating rank or length of service. Winners will also be listed on the Eat New Zealand website, a movement dedicated to promoting New Zealand’s best food, drink and culinary destinations to the world.
Final Voting via the website is now open to the industry, closing at midnight on Sunday, 20 May.
The public can also have their say and vote for their favourite establishment via the Rotorua Lakes Council People’s Choice Award. This will be awarded to an establishment that excels in customer service, consistency in food preparation and delivery, welcoming ambience and style, attention to detail and is always willing to go that extra mile. Online voting is now open via the website for both industry and the public.
The winners will be announced at the awards evening, held at the Energy Events Centre on Sunday, 1 July. The Rotorua Hospitality Awards is your opportunity to get together with the city’s hospo squad, enjoy a night of delicious canapés, wine, beer, and cocktails, and participate in a bit of healthy competition at our awards ceremony.
Tickets to the event are on sale now, to purchase or for more information regarding the awards please visit www.hospitalityawards.co.nz/rotorua. Stay connected with key updates and announcements on our Facebook page @rotoruahospitalityawards and Instagram @rotoruaawards.
2018 Rotorua Hospitality Awards Finalists
More FM Rotorua Outstanding Barista of the Year
Ethan Butler, Artisan Cafe
Leroy Cunningham, Market Kitchen
Grace Choi, McDonalds
Andrea Baigorria Germain, Revolver Espresso
Bidfood Rotorua Outstanding Café of the Year
Artisan Café
Lime Caffeteria
Scope Cafe
Third Place Café
Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding Bartender of the Year
Sean Kelly, Atticus Finch
Shaye Honeycombe, Ponsonby Rd Lounge Bar
Rohit Mehla, Rydges Hotel, Rotorua
Scott Barlow, Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar
Lion Breweries Bar of the Year
BREW Craft Beer Pub
Ponsonby Rd Lounge Bar
SOBAR
Hospitality Management Systems Front of House Team of the Year
Atticus Finch
Indian Star Tandoori Restaurant
Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar
Tobasco Emerging Talent – Chef
Bethany-May Allen, Peppers on the Point – Lake Rotorua
Pritam Gaware, Skyline Rotorua
Gill Fursharan, Urbano Bistro
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology – Outstanding Chef of the Year
Phil Elliot, Atticus Finch
Digraj Baghela, Princes Gate Hotel
Mark Solon, Urbano Bistro
Indian Star Emerging Talent – Business
Delhi Hutt
El Mexicano Zapata
Scope Cafe
OneMusic Outstanding Ambience & Design of the Year
Ponsonby Rd Lounge Bar
Regent of Rotorua
Urbano Bistro
Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding Ethnic Restaurant of the Year
Indian Star Tandoori Restaurant
The Thai Restaurant
Yamato Japanese
Eftpos NZ Outstanding Restaurant of the Year
Atticus Finch
Regent of Rotorua
Urbano Bistro
GrabOne Outstanding Takeout of the Year
24b Lunchbar
Pizzeria Imperfetto
The Factory Smokehouse & Grill
Skyline Rotorua Outstanding Sales Rep of the Year
Rohan Knowles, Diverse Distributors
Donna Bloore, Jasco Distributing
Tracey Lawrence, Service Foods
Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding Supplier of the Year
Bidfood Rotorua
Diverse Distributors
Service Foods
Events & Venues Excellence in Event Hospitality of the Year
Crankworx Rotorua
Rotorua Night Market
The Okere Falls Beerfest