The Queenstown hospitality industry acknowledged the outstanding abilities of their own with the announcement of the winners at the inaugural awards ceremony at Skyline Queenstown.

The Awards recognise the outstanding hospitality professionals, all of whom making a positive impact on the local café and dining scene. The Restaurant Association of New Zealand and lead partner Trents Wholesale are proud to organise and foster these Awards with the main purpose being to unite, grow and promote the Southern Lakes diverse hospitality industry.

Marisa Bidois, CEO Restaurant Association of New Zealand says

“At the Restaurant Association, we believe it’s important to celebrate one another in the hospitality industry. Our work is demanding and there are limited opportunities to come together to support each other. The Queenstown Hospitality Awards represent the occasion to do just that – celebrate the hard work and success of the hospitality industry within the region. Congratulations to all winners.”

With all categories keenly contested, this year’s winners truly exemplify what it means to be at the top of their respective categories.

Vicky Wong from Botswana Butchery took top honours winning the Outstanding Chef award, the team at Madam Woo were awarded the Outstanding Front of House Team honour, and La Rumbla proved they have all the ingredients to be named Outstanding Restaurant.

The Chop Shop Food Merchants was presented the Outstanding Café Award, Yonder won the Outstanding Design & Ambience honours, and Amisfield picked up the Award for Outstanding Winery Restaurant. The Sundeck was awarded the Outstanding Bar Award, and The Bunker was named Outstanding Central City Establishment.

After an impressive 650 votes received, the coveted People’s Choice Award went to Blue Kanu.

Tony Robertson, formerly of Hamills Restaurant, was awarded Hospo Hero of the Year for his dedication to the industry spanning over 30 years, contributing to the flourishing scene Queenstown hospitality of today.

Guests were treated to a delectable selection of local produce and beverages and sweet sounds from Annah Mac and DJ duo Sweet Mix Kids.

For more information regarding the awards please visit www.hospitalityawards.co.nz\queenstown.
Stay connected with key updates and announcements on our Facebook page @qthospitalityawards and Instagram @queenstownawards.

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2018 Queenstown Hospitality Awards Winners

2018 Queenstown Hospitality Supreme Awards Winners

2018 Queenstown Hospitality People’s Choice & Hospo Hero Winners

The finalists for the inaugural 2018 Queenstown Hospitality Awards have been announced, with familiar faces and consistently good establishments vying for top spots.

Presented by the Restaurant Association of New Zealand and lead partner Trents Wholesale, the Queenstown Hospitality Awards recognise the outstanding hospitality professionals all making a positive impact on 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:

The number of nominations received was an endorsement that the industry welcomes the awards as a means to support and recognise each other and is a real tribute to the calibre of talent in Southern Lakes 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 First Table 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 also via the website for both industry and the public.

The winners will be announced at the awards evening, held at Skyline Queenstown on Monday, 28 May. Guests will be treated to a delectable selection of local produce, a vast array of the best tipple and sweet sounds from international DJ duo Sweet Mix Kids.

Tickets to the event are on sale now, to purchase or for more information regarding the awards please visit www.hospitalityawards.co.nz\queenstown. Stay connected with key updates and announcements on our Facebook page @qthospitalityawards and Instagram @queenstownawards.

2018 Queenstown Hospitality Awards Finalists

Finalists for the Queenstown Hospitality Awards will be announced on Monday, 30 April.

Queenstown’s flourishing hospitality industry is to be celebrated at the inaugural Queenstown Hospitality Awards, an industry event aimed at highlighting the very best of the region

Established by the Restaurant Association of NZ and lead partner Trents Wholesale, the awards are an important development for the region, as Queenstown continues to be recognised globally for its distinction in tourism and hospitality.

CEO Marisa Bidois says,

“It’s imperative the hospitality industry recognises its champions as it provides not only a peer benchmark for excellence but also serves to give people valuable guidelines on the best places to visit”.

With more than 16 award categories, the best of Queenstown’s hospitality industry – from crew members, to suppliers, to establishments – will be celebrated for their contribution in creating a world-class hospitality industry in Queenstown.

The relevance of the event has attracted support from local and national category sponsors signing up to be part of the inaugural event including Meadow Fresh, Hellers, Pernod Ricard, Federal Merchants, Antipodes, Menumate, Southern Hospitality, Crombie Lockwood, OneMusic, Negociants, GrabOne, Harrows, NZI, First Table and host venue Skyline Queenstown.

Final voting will begin on Monday, 30 April upon announcement of finalists.
RSVP to the Finalist Launch

Awards winners will be revealed at the highly anticipated Queenstown Hospitality Awards Gala on Monday, 28 May at Skyline Queenstown. Queenstown general public are also able to vote for their favourite establishment in the First Table People’s Choice Award category.

Queenstown Hospitality Awards 2018 Categories:

• Meadow Fresh – Outstanding Barista of the Year
• Hellers – Cafe of the Year
• Jameson – Outstanding Bartender of the Year
• Glenfiddich – Bar of the Year
• Antipodes – Outstanding Waiter of the Year
• Menumate – Outstanding Front of House Team
• Southern Hospitality – Outstanding Chef of the Year
• Burns & Ferrall – Emerging Talent – Chef
• Crombie Lockwood – Central City Establishment of the Year
• OneMusic – Outstanding Ambience & Design
• Negociants – Emerging Talent – Wine Service Professional
• GrabOne – Winery Restaurant of the Year
• Harrows – Restaurant of the Year
• Restaurant Association – Sales Rep of the Year
• McCarthy – Specialty Supplier of the Year
• NZI – Goods & Services Wholesaler of the Year
• First Table – People’s Choice – Establishment of the Year
• Skyline Queenstown – Outstanding Hospo Hero

RSVP to the Finalist Announcement event here.
Purchase tickets to the Queenstown Hospitality Awards here.

For more information or to purchase tickets to the awards evening please visit: www.hospitalityawards.co.nz/queenstown