- New kid Koji up for two nominations including best restaurant
- Hawthorn lounge leads the pack with four nominations
Wellington hospitality businesses at the top of their game are to be celebrated at the Felix Wellington Hospitality Awards; an industry event aimed at highlighting the very best of the region.
Among the finalists named in this year’s Awards, is new establishment Koji nominated in the outstanding restaurant category along with a nod for Lizzie Rogers as best emerging chef.
Sourcing produce for the team at Koji is a labour of love with the core team travelling across NZ to source and meet their suppliers.
After living and working under top chefs around the world, owners Johnon and Kat moved back to New Zealand with their young family in March 2020, to open Koji – A vibrant, pan Asian restaurant located in Mount Victoria.
Popular Te Aro speakeasy Hawthorn Lounge is nominated for four awards including two nominations in the outstanding bartender category for Devan Nesbitt and Meghan Webb.
Their crew will return from Sydney Bar week just in time for the awards after travelling on a Felix awards scholarship won by bar owner Alex prior to Covid.
Famed for its carefully crafted cocktail list, the bar is also nominated for outstanding cocktail experience and outstanding bar.
Wellington claims some of New Zealand’s best restaurants, so the category for outstanding restaurant will be hotly contested between finalists Koji, Ortega Fish Shack, Rita and Amok.
Anyone looking for the best brunch and brew in town should check out the line up of finalists for outstanding café and barista.
Customs, Swimsuit, Floriditas and August all make the finalist for outstanding café while Isla Harrison (Pravda Café and Grill), Tait Burge (Swimsuit), Tim Norris (Customs Coffee Supreme) and Zuyi Woon (Pour & Twist) are all up for outstanding barista.
Casual dining and take out has surged in popularity over the last few years and Wellington eateries Taste of Home, Fred’s Sandwiches, Greek Food Truck and Donnie Tacohave have all been recognised for their exceptional casual fayre with nominations for outstanding street food or takeout.
The hospitality industry is nothing without the vibrant and diverse people who make and serve in our dining establishments. This year Lewis Culshaw (Hospo Prom/ Rabbit Hole Events), Davey Macdonald (Ortega Fish Shack), Dan Felsing (Mabel’s) and Juno Miers (Margot) have all been recognised for giving exceptional hospitality experiences in the outstanding hospitality professional category.
The Felix Wellington Hospitality Awards celebrate and promote the region’s food and beverage offerings, recognising the champions who deliver the flavours, experiences and gastronomic wonders bringing visitors from near and far to the region.
Brought to you by the Restaurant Association of New Zealand with the support of lead sponsor Gilmours and Visa Wellington On a Plate, the Felix Wellington Hospitality Awards are all about celebrating and promoting the excellence of the region’s food and beverage offerings.
Awards are given in 19 categories, providing recognition for individuals – both industry experts as well as emerging talent – and establishments of all kinds.
Restaurant Association CEO Marisa Bidois says that as hospitality starts its recovery from several challenging years, it is great to take time to recognise the exceptional dining experiences on offer in the nation’s capital. “A trip to Wellington is always a pleasure given the array of top-quality drinking, dining and caffeinating experiences on offer.”
“The awards give us a great opportunity to celebrate their successes and give people a reason to go out and sample them.”
In addition to the judged entries in 18 categories, Bidois says the Wellington community is invited to vote for their favourite establishment in The Hit’s People’s Choice Award category. Voting is through the Hospitality Awards website (see below).
Stay connected with key updates and announcements on our Facebook page @felixwellingtonhospitalityawards and Instagram @ felixwellingtonhospitalityawards
Wellington Hospitality Awards 2022 Finalists:
L’affare Outstanding Barista
Isla Harrison, Pravda Café and Grill
Tait Burge, Swimsuit
Tim Norris , Customs Coffee Supreme
Zuyi Woon, Pour & Twist
Pernod Ricard Outstanding Bartender
Devan Nesbitt, Hawthorn Lounge
Eddie Goddard, Hanging Ditch
Mackenzie Edwards, Ascot
Meghan Webb, Hawthorn Lounge
Antipodes Water Outstanding Front of House Team
Ortega Fish Shack & Bar
Egmont St. Eatery
Loretta
Rita
Menulog Outstanding Streetfood
Taste of Home
Fred’s Sandwiches
Greek Food Truck
Donnie Taco
Mount Cook Alpine Salmon Emerging Chef
Jimmy Whitefield, Amok
Sian Davis, Olive
Jono Serfontein, August Eatery
Lizzie Rogers, Koji
Anchor Food Professionals Outstanding Chef
Max Gordy, Graze Wine Bar
Eom Jae Hoon, Havanna
Taylor Annals, Egmont St Eatery
Maddie Grace, Hillside
Southern Hospitality Outstanding Café
Customs
Swimsuit
Floriditas
August
Bombay Sapphire Outstanding Bar
Hawthorn Lounge
Ascot
Crumpet
Puffin
Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding Beer Experience
LBQ
Parrot Dog
Malthouse
Rogue & Vagabond
Negociants New Zealand Outstanding Wine Experience
Puffin
Nobel Rot
Ascot
Atlas
The National Distillery Outstanding Cocktail Experience
Hawthorn Lounge
Crumpet
Night Flower
CGR Merchant
OneMusic Outstanding Ambience & Design
Kisa
Puffin
Astoria
Concord
Nova Energy Outstanding Regional Establishment
50/50
Graze Wine Bar
Boneface Upper Hutt
Oikos
Service Foods Outstanding Restaurant
Koji
Ortega Fish Shack
Rita
Amok
Te Papa Outstanding Sales Rep
Max Blanchard, HospoConnect
Casey Belsham, Pernod Ricard
Sam Waghorn, Wag & Co Ltd
Calem Chadwich, Federal Mechants & Co.
Restaurant Association Of NZ Outstanding Caterer
Food Envy
The Catering Studio
SSC Hospo
Canapé Company
American Express Outstanding Supplier
Capitol Produce
Hancocks Wine, Spirit & Beer Merchants
Tickety Boo Liquor
Gilmours
Waitoa Beer Outstanding Hospitality Professional
Lewis Culshaw, Hospo Prom/ Rabbit Hole Events
Davey Macdonald, Ortega Fish Shack
Dan Felsing, Mabel’s
Juno Miers, Margot