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Wellington’s hospitality industry salutes it’s heroes!

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The hospitality industry has spoken and winners of the Restaurant Association’s 2017 Felix Awards have been announced in Wellington.

In a sold out event, over 500 of Wellingtons finest celebrated in Great Gatsby style at The Embassy Theatre, paying homage to all that is excellent in Wellington’s hospitality scene.

The dynamic and ever changing industry was highlighted by the winners coming from a mix of both new and well established businesses showing that hospitality in Wellington remains in excellent heart.

Shepherd was a fan favourite amongst peers picking up four out of the six awards nominated for, including Outstanding Chef and Outstanding Restaurant.

Sean Golding, Co-owner said “The calibre of talent in Wellington is outstanding, and to be voted as the best by your peers is absolutely mind blowing”.

Business partner and chef, Shepherd Elliot was humbled by the recognition and thanked industry for the support they have received since opening less than two years ago.

With all categories keenly contested, this year’s winners truly exemplify what it means to be at the top of their respective categories, including former nano-brewery Garage Project who picked up the Outstanding Beer Experience award; eatery and roastery Prefab Café who won in the Outstanding Café category, and Majoribanks Street favourite Ortega Fish Shack who was awarded the Outstanding Front of House Team honour.

The Wellington region also plays host to some of the best bars in the country, with Hawthorn Lounge taking a triple win in the Outstanding Bartender, Outstanding Cocktail Experience, and Outstanding Ambience & Style categories.

Restaurant Association Chief Executive Marisa Bidois acknowledges “New Zealand’s capital city is a vibrant culinary playground, with so many talented operators and dedicated hospitality professionals in the region. We congratulate all the winners on a job well done.”

The Felix Awards, the first of New Zealand’s peer-voted hospitality awards, ran for a number of years and is the benchmark for the industry. After a brief hiatus, the awards were rekindled in 2016 to celebrate the Capital’s culinary prowess and Wellington’s great venues and people.

The Felix Awards were named in honour of Dean Felix Dunlop, a pioneer of pizza, white tablecloths and brunch, and one of the visionaries behind the wonderful Brasserie Flipp.

For more information regarding the awards please visit www.felixawards.co.nz.


2017 Felix Awards winners

L’affare Outstanding Barista

Edward Watkins, Memphis Belle Coffee House

Southern Hospitality Outstanding Café

Prefab

Pernod Ricard Outstanding Bartender                                   

Giancarlo Quiroz, Hawthorn Lounge

Outstanding Beer Experience

Garage Project

Federal Merchants Outstanding Cocktail Experience                           

Hawthorn Lounge

Negociants Outstanding Wine Experience

Noble Rot Wine Bar

Moet Hennessy Point of Sale Outstanding Maitre D’

Fergus Trengrove, Boulcott St Bistro

BCE Catering Equipment Outstanding New Venue

Shepherd

QT Museum Wellington Emerging Talent – Front of House

Jenny Chan, KC Cafe

OneMusic Outstanding Ambience & Style

Hawthorn Lounge

Helping Hands Outstanding Front of House Team

Ortega Fish Shack

Visa Wellington On A Plate Outstanding Suburban/ Regional Experience 

The Larder

Park Hotel Outstanding Casual Dining/Street Food Experience  

Mr Go’s

Crombie Lockwood Outstanding Supplier

Moore Wilson’s

Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding  Sales Rep

Rachel Watson, Red + White Cellar

Le Cordon Bleu Emerging Chef 

Maxime Gnojczak, Shepherd

 Gilmours Outstanding Chef     

Shepherd Elliot, Shepherd

Red + White Cellar Outstanding Restaurant 

Shepherd

Hospitality NZ Outstanding Hospitality Professional

James Bennie, HospoTrain

 

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