Winners Announced in the 2014 Hawke’s Bay Hospitality Awards

Winners Announced in the 2014 Hawke’s Bay Hospitality Awards

For the seventh year in a row, the exceptional people and establishments that make up the hospitality industry in Hawke’s Bay have been announced. The Hospitality Awards are for the industry, by the industry and over the last two months industry workers, owners, chefs, waiters, bartenders, baristas, suppliers and sales rep’s have nominated and then voted for who they think is the MOST OUTSTANDING in the 15 award categories.

Organisers Food Hawke’s Bay, a membership organisation for food businesses in the region, are once again delighted with the response to the event. Event Organiser, Adele Fitzgerald says “The number of votes received this year was greater than last year, an endorsement that the industry values the awards as a means to support and recognise each other.”

Ms Fitzgerald said “This year, a new category, the Elephant Hill sponsored Outstanding Emerging Restaurant was introduced, to reflect the number of new establishments that have opened in the region in recent months. With every establishment and their workers striving to offer their best, each category was keenly contested and the winners are to be congratulated on a job well done.”

Renowned chef Ben Bayly of The Grove and Baduzzi Restaurants in Auckland was once again guest judge for the NZ King Salmon sponsored Outstanding Supporting Chef category which was conducted by application only. Bayly said “I am really thrilled to see that three of the four Finalists were young women all eager to do well in an intense industry”. This category has now seen two winners from the kitchen of Jeremy Rameka’s Pacifica Restaurant, with Harata Neera taking the honours this year.

A special award was presented to outgoing Food Hawke’s Bay Manager, Vicky Rope who was responsible for introducing the Hospitality Awards to Hawke’s Bay in 2008. Without this event there would be no benchmark for industry workers to strive to meet, as the awards serve to promote excellence in hospitality.

The winners were announced in front of a sell-out crowd of over 300 hospitality staff at an awards ceremony at the MTG Century Theatre and afterwards enjoyed the chance to catch up with their colleagues at an industry party at East Pier, Ahuriri.
The winners of the 2014 Hawke’s Bay Hospitality Awards are:

• Sacred Hill Outstanding Chef
David Griffiths, Mister D

• Eftpos Specialists Front of House Personality
Kim Davis, Deliciosa Tapas & Wine Room

• Foxton Fizz Outstanding Café Experience
Milk and Honey

• EIT Outstanding Front of House Team
Mister D

• Napier i-Site Outstanding Barista
Andrew Feldon, Hawthorne Coffee

• Elephant Hill Outstanding Emerging Restaurant
Mamacita

• Orton Catering Outstanding Winery Experience
Clearview Estate Winery

• Restaurant Association Outstanding Ethnic Restaurant
Indigo – Napier

• Basepoint Outstanding Local
Rose and Shamrock Village Inn

• Grande Gourmet Outstanding Established Restaurant
Mister D

• Food Hawke’s Bay Outstanding Supplier/Sales Rep
Lisa Clarke, Clearview Estate Winery

• Zeelandt Brewery Outstanding Winery Restaurant
Clearview Estate Winery Restaurant

• Steinlager Pure Outstanding Establishment
Emporium Eatery & Bar

• Regal Marlborough Salmon Supporting Chef
Harata Neera, Pacifica Restaurant

• Clearview Estate Best Ambience/Style
Emporium Eatery & Bar

• Dhall & Nash Outstanding Wine & Beverage List
Deliciosa Tapas & Wine Room

ENDS

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