The 24th annual Lewisham Awards are just around the corner, and the 2026 finalists are in. On 31 May we’ll be raising a glass to the chefs, bartenders, front-of-house legends, producers and establishments who make Auckland hospitality what it is.
This year’s finalists were again nominated by industry and selected by an experienced judging panel. They represent the full breadth of Auckland’s dining and hospitality scene — from neighbourhood locals and emerging talent through to operators setting new benchmarks for what great hospitality looks like.
Award Committee Chairperson Dan Sullivan summed it up: hospitality has never been easy, and right now is no exception — but that’s when the people who truly love this industry show what they’re made of. This year’s finalists are doing exactly that.
The 2026 finalists are:
Outstanding Bartender (sponsored by Hancocks)
Dewi Barbieri – Truth or Dare | Justin Ydia – Gilt | Trent Brosnahan – Mo’s Bar | Vanessa Vega – Sky Bar
Outstanding Front of House (sponsored by Long Burroughs)
Dewi Barbieri – Truth or Dare | Emma Mondon – Prego | Philip Stack – First Mates, Last Laugh | Ryan Oliver – Panacea
Outstanding Emerging Hospitality Talent (sponsored by Silver Fern Farms)
Adhitia Firmansyah – Amano | Ellie Sims Hilditch – Amano | Oscar Norris – Prego | Leon Sittisart – Panacea
Outstanding Sales Experience (sponsored by Hospitality NZ)
Angie Atkinson – Blanc | Logan Richmond – Sawmill Brewery | Ryan Kennedy – Hancocks Family Merchants | Sam Vine – McLeods Brewery
Outstanding Producer (sponsored by Clyth MacLeod)
Clevedon Bugalo Co | Curious Croppers | Man O’ War | Urbanaut Brewing Co
Outstanding Café (sponsored by Bidfood)
D.O.S.E. | Re.union | Rumours | Two Little Chickens
Outstanding Wine Experience (sponsored by Negociants New Zealand)
Bare Wines | Gilt | Ground Wine Bar | Pici
Outstanding Cocktail Experience (sponsored by Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey)
Caretaker | Deadshot | Definitely Maybe | Truth or Dare
Outstanding Beer Experience (sponsored by Lewisham Foundation)
Northern Line | Sawmill Brewery | The Beer Spot | Two Fold
Outstanding Innovation & Sustainability (sponsored by Bepoz)
Ahi | Project Hydrosol | Sawmill Brewery | Truth or Dare
Outstanding Distributor (sponsored by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners)
Bidfood | Blanc | Hancocks Family Merchants | Tickety Boo
Outstanding New Establishment (sponsored by Blanc)
Agnes | Bistro Saine | Ground Wine Bar | Manaia Seafood Eatery | Mother
Outstanding Local Establishment – North (sponsored by Red Bull)
Cave á Vin | Cousin Scott’s | Duo | Moreno
Outstanding Local Establishment – South (sponsored by Franklin Local Board)
Bianca | Hill House Café | Little Jimmy | The Bramble
Outstanding Local Establishment – Waiheke & East (sponsored by Lewisham Foundation)
Man O’ War | Tantalus | The Heke | Three Seven Two | Water Boy
Outstanding Local Establishment – West (sponsored by Eclectic Furniture)
Bar Martin | Burnt Butter | Fabric | iTi
Outstanding Local Establishment – Central (sponsored by One Music)
Coco’s Cantina | Mo’s Bar | Prego | Truth or Dare
Outstanding Chef (sponsored by Anchor Food Professionals)
Jo Pearson – Alma | Andrew Hanson – Amano | Glen File – Gilt | Rio Pranata – Ambler
Outstanding Hospo Hero (sponsored by Restaurant Association of New Zealand)
Angie Atkinson – Blanc | Dany Dentith – Panacea | Renee Coulter – Coco’s Cantina | Theodore Tjandra – Truth or Dare
Winners will be announced at the awards evening on 31 May 2026, but right now you can CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR THE FINALISTS.
