Winners Announced in the 2012 Hawke's Bay Hospitality Awards

For the fifth 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 15 award categories.

A very special award was presented for the first time this year, the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award for Service to the Hawke’s Bay Hospitality Industry.’ Basil Diack has been serving in the Hospo Industry for 53 years. Starting at his family owned Victoria Hotel in Hastings Street, Napier in 1957 Diack was to make his mark on the industry but helping keep profitability up for the small operators, in a very brewery dominated environment. Diack went on to be involved in the Meeanee Hotel followed by becoming a shareholder in Hawke’s Bay Independent Breweries in 1995 and in the development of the Filter Room. Diack continues calling on his clients delivering beer in Hawke’s Bay offering the same service he has become known for, for over 50 years.

Friend and colleague Dennis Buckley, from Shed 2, presented Diack with the inaugural award in front of 300 of his industry peers. Wife Jan, son Darren and Daughter-in-Law Cossete were present to celebrate his achievement.

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. Event Organiser, Vicky Rope says “the Hospo Awards are getting a name for themselves not only in the industry but in the general publics eyes as well, people like the fact that the people in the know are putting their stamp of approval on particular places to eat, drink or socialise, we are delighted with the reaction.”

Rope says “Gaining recognition for those glamorous and some not so 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 sellout crowd of 300 hospitality industry staff at a glamorous awards ceremony at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House.

The winners of the 2012 Hawke’s Bay Hospitality Awards are:

Food Hawke’s Bay Outstanding Chef
Jeremy Rameka, Pacifica Restaurant

Eftpos Specialists Front of House Personality
Sarah Watson, Deliciosa Tapas & Wine Room

EIT Outstanding Front of House Team
Deliciosa Tapas and Wine Room

Simply Squeezed Outstanding Café Experience
Opera Kitchen

Toops Outstanding Ethnic Restaurant
Master of India

GEON Outstanding Barista
Ted Simpson, Opera Kitchen

Restaurant Association Outstanding Winery Experience
Black Barn Vineyard

VJ Distributors Outstanding Local
Deliciosa Tapas & Wine Room

Grande Gourmet Outstanding Restaurant
Pacifica Restaurant

Sacred Hill Outstanding Supplier/Sales Rep
Lisa Clarke, Clearview Estate Winery

Restaurant Association Outstanding Winery Restaurant
Clearview Estate Winery Restaurant

Steinlager Pure Outstanding Establishment
Deliciosa Tapas & Wine Room

Regal Marlborough Salmon Emerging Chef
Adam Lambert, Pacifica Restaurant

Clearview Estate Best Ambience/Style
Pipi

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

ENDS

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