Embargoed Media release until 7pm on 18th May 2009

Winners Announced In The 2009 Hawke’s Bay Hospitality Awards

For the second year in a row, the exceptional people and establishments that make up our hospitality industry in Hawke’s Bay have been announced. The Hospitality Awards are FOR the industry BY the industry. 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 14 award categories.

Organisers Food Hawke’s Bay, who are a membership organisation for food businesses in the region, are once again delighted with the response to the event. General Manager, Jane Libby says “as this is now our second year running this event, we are very excited at the momentum it has created and the buzz amongst staff in the industry. Even the public have got right in behind it again, wishing the finalists luck in the days leading up to the awards.”

Libby says “Gaining recognition for those glamorous and some not some glamorous jobs in the industry makes it all worthwhile for these people, the winners should be congratulated on a job well done”

The winners were announced in front of a sell out crowd of 300 hospitality industry staff at a glamorous awards ceremony at the Century Theatre in Napier followed by an industry party at Ocean’s Café and Bar, where guests partied the night away into the wee small hours.

The winners of the 2009 Hawke’s Bay Hospitality Awards are:

• The Village Press Outstanding Chef
Jeremy Rameka, Pacifica

• Eftpos Specialists Front of House Personality
Shane Pugh, Vidal Winery Restaurant

• HSI Outstanding Waitperson
Sarah Watson, Deliciosa Tapas & Wine Bar

• Hospitality Association Outstanding Bartender
Simon Kerr, Provedore

• Bay Espresso Outstanding Barista
Ben Simcox, Groove Kitchen Espresso

• Restaurant Association Outstanding Cafe
Café Ujazi

• Tui Outstanding Traditional Pub
Rose & Shamrock Village Inn

• Grande Gourmet Outstanding Restaurant
Black Barn Bistro

• Paritua Vineyards Outstanding Supplier/Artisan Producer
Vetro Mediterranean Foods

• Food Hawke’s Bay Outstanding Sales Rep
John McHardy, Grande Gourmet

• Hancocks Outstanding Bar
Provedore

• Regal Marlborough Salmon Emerging Chef
Sam Davies, Black Barn Bistro

• Clearview Estate Best Ambience/style
Mission Restaurant

• Kim Crawford Wines Outstanding Hospitality Personality
Sam Orton, Orton Catering

ENDS

© Scoop Media