The biennial Manawatu Hospitality Awards took place at the Silks Lounge at Awapuni Raceway on the evening of Sunday, 11th November, showcasing the best in the region’s food and beverage outlets, their staff and their suppliers.
The 450 hospitality workers enjoyed a sit-down dinner along with MC Justin Evans, and later entertainment by DJ, DFresh. The Awards are always held on a Sunday evening as it seems the easiest night to get hospo people away from their businesses.
The finalists were all hospitality workers, businesses and suppliers who have been nominated by, voted by, and/or judged by others in the industry. International and national judges were brought in to judge the Barista, Chef and Emerging Chef categories, and cafes and restaurant categories were visited and judged by mystery judges. Waiters, maître d’s and bartenders were judged in their work places. Others were voted on by other hospitality businesses, their staff and suppliers.
The evening began with a function for the sponsors. It was an opportunity for the organising committee to thank them personally for their continued contribution.
“We couldn’t run the Awards without them”, as the new Chair, Andrea Leighton, and Julie Poole, who administers the Awards know.
Manawatu Hospitality Awards 2018 winners:
Bidfood Restaurant of the Year: The establishment offers a fine menu, service and welcoming ambience. It has ease of access and professional, well-tuned waiting staff.
- Amayjen
- Little Savanna
Stonecold Distributors Ethnic Restaurant of the Year: The establishment offers a fine menu, service and welcoming ambience and reflects authentic national cuisine. It has ease of access and professional, well-tuned waiting staff.
- Yatai Izakaya Restaurant
- Haru Japanese Restaurant
Davis Food Ingredients Café of the Year: The café offers vibrancy, with personable staff. It’s in tune with current café trends and expectations. The coffee is superb with great food and slick service.
- The Elm Café
- Local Café & Eatery
Nestlé Professional Conference and Event Venue of the Year: An organisation that provides the complete professional service package that exceeds the client’s expectations every step of the way.
- Orlando Country Club
- Wharerata Function Centre
Riverlea Caterer of the Year: An individual or company which provides quality food and beverage menus served by professional staff with consummate decorum. They heed all requirements of the event and anticipate every contingency.
- Crafted and Co
- Not Now James Catering
Tootill Electrical Takeaway of the Year: The takeaway provides quality fast food along with exceptional customer service. Offers value and variety.
- Burger Fuel
- Saigon Corner
Gilmours Central Pub of the Year: Friendly, comfortable surrounds. Good food and beverage and service with a smile.
- Brew Union
- Celtic Inn
MHA Bar/Night Spot of the Year: Great atmosphere and music with a broad selection of drinks. Trendy, fashionable night spot. The place to be seen.
- The Brewers Apprentice
- Bubbles Champagne and Wine Bar
NZME Supplier of the Year: Consistent and prompt product delivery. Committed to top quality and innovative products. Demonstrates customer loyalty.
- Davis Trading
- Bidfood
Restaurant Association of NZ Hospitality Personality of the Year: An award for an individual, who over an extended period of time, has shown outstanding commitment to the betterment of Manawatu’s hospitality industry. The winner will be a well known personality through their continued involvement in the marketplace and will be respected industry-wide for business achievements.
- Scott Kennedy (Nero)
Chef’s Choice Chef of the Year: An inspiration in all aspects of cooking. Creates great food and runs a superb, consistent kitchen.
- Grant Kitchen (Brew Union)
- Scott Gillespie (Manawatu Golf Course)
Ebony Coffee Barista of the Year: Professional and passionate about coffee making. Evaluates coffee- making to a true art form.
- Elise McIlroy (Coffee in a Box)
- Abi Lassing (Ebony Coffee Roasters)
UCOL Emerging Chef of the Year: A person showing the potential to become an outstanding chef. Shows great work ethic, attitude and is passionate about cooking.
- Ashlee Tanner (Amayjen)
- Tim Rees (Brew Union)
BCE Catering Equipment Maitre d’ / F&B Host of the Year: Demonstrates pace with grace and a totally unflappable nature. This genuine ‘personality’ simply and consistently delivers the very best.
- Grace Farrington (Aberdeen on Broadway)
- Jenni May (Amayjen)
Steinlager Waiter of the Year: Has full knowledge of food and beverage products. Uses initiative, is perceptive, tactful and has a great personality. Good sales ability, sound skills, always well-groomed and a team player.
- Isabelle Ellingham (Little Savanna)
- Annie Novel (The Elm)
Hospitality NZ Bartender of the Year: Superb product knowledge, amiable and discrete, with a unique personal style. Must possess excellent memory skills and sense of humour.
- Matt Jenner (Brew Union)
- Thomas Griggs (Rose & Crown)
The Sharon Mann Memorial Award for Outstanding continued support of hospitality in the region.
- Phil Monk
Congratulations to all the winners!
Special thanks to our sponsors for their support for this event!
