Finalists announced in national hospitality awards

Finalists announced in this year's national hospitality awards

The improving fortunes of New Zealand’s economy are reflected in the diversity and dynamics of finalists selected for this year’s Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence.

The range of finalists across some 16 categories encompasses everything from a country pub in Northland and an upmarket gastro bar in Auckland, through to a five star hotel in Wellington and a café in Southland.

Representing Hawke’s Bay among this year’s finalists are:

• Viceroy Hotel in Napier, which has been selected as a finalist in the Best New/Redeveloped Hotel category.
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• Jarks Café Bar & Restaurant in Waimarama, which has been selected as a finalist in the Best Beef Dish Under $25 category.

Representing the Waikato are:
• Yardhouse, a finalist in Excellence in Gaming category.
• Five Stags Leamington, which has also been selected as a finalist in Excellence in Gaming category.
• Pumice Bistro Bar and Deli, which has been selected as a finalist in the Best Restaurant category.
• House on Hood, which has been selected as a finalist in Best Bar category.
• Agenda, which has been selected as a finalist in Best Music Entertainment Venue category.
• Good George Brewing and Dining Hall, which has been selected as a finalist in two categories – Best Bar, and Best New/Redeveloped Bar/Restaurant.
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Representing Northland is the Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Russell, which has been selected as a finalist in three categories – Best Accommodation Hotel, Best Country Hotel, and Best New/Redeveloped Hotel.

Representing Nelson are:
• Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco, which has been selected as a finalist in two categories – Excellence in Customer Service and Excellence in Marketing.
• Little Rock Bar and Nightclub, which has been selected as a finalist in the Excellence in Host Responsibility category
• Jellyfish Café and Bar, which has been selected as a finalist in the Best Café category.
• Kraut’s Restaurant & Bar, which has been selected as a finalist in the Best Beef Dish Under $25 category.
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Representing the West Coast are:
• Theatre Royal Hotel in Kumara, which has been selected as a finalist in Best New/Redeveloped Hotel category.
• Stations Hotel in Hokitika, which has been selected as a finalist in the Best Lamb Dish Under $25 category.

Representing Central Otago is Chatto Creek Tavern in Alexandra which has been selected as a finalist in the Best Country Hotel category.

Representing Southland are:
• Fiordland Lodge, which has been selected as a finalist in two categories – Best Restaurant, and Best Accommodation Hotel.
• The Batch Café, which has been selected as a finalist in two categories – Excellence in Training, and Best Café.
• Ascot Park Hotel, which has been selected as a finalist in the Best Environmental, Sustainable and Ethical Practice category.

Representing the Auckland region are:
• Degree Gastrobar, a finalist in the Excellence in Training & Staff Development category.
• The Jet Park Hotel, which has been selected as a finalist in four categories – Best Environmental, Sustainable and Ethical Practice; Excellence in Customer Service; Excellence in Marketing and Best Accommodation Hotel.
• The Riverhead Tavern, which has been selected as a finalist in two categories – Best Restaurant, and Best Music Entertainment Venue.
• Tuakau Hotel, a finalist in the Best Country Hotel category.
• Matakana Village Pub, which has been selected as a finalist in two categories - Best New/Redeveloped Bar/Restaurant and the Best Lamb Dish Under $25.
• Studio The Venue, which has been selected as a finalist in the Best Music/Entertainment Venue.
• The Postman's Leg, which has been selected as a finalist in the Best New/Redeveloped Bar/Restaurant category.
• No. 1 High Street, which has been selected as a finalist in the Best Beef Dish Under $25 category.
• The Clare Inn Irish Pub, which has been selected as a finalist in the Best Lamb Dish Under $25 category.

Hospitality New Zealand chief executive Bruce Robertson said that as New Zealand’s economy moved from a ‘recovery’ phase to a more positive ‘growth’ phase, so too had the fortunes of the finalists in this year’s Awards for Excellence.

“The finalists in this year’s Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence reflect that the country’s food, beverage, and accommodation providers are yet again at the forefront of professional business operations in New Zealand, and can justifiably hold their heads high in any commercial environment,” Mr Robertson said.

“There is far more positivity in the wider hospitality industry than there has been for a number of years, and the commercial attitude demonstrated in the entries submitted by the finalists in this year’s awards reflects that. That optimism is mirrored in the amount of capital investment now being spent on premises. New hospitality businesses are emerging at locations throughout the country, while existing businesses are renovating, refurbishing and expanding – motivated by their owners’ confidence in growing consumer spend.”

“Some of that investment has been substantial – well into the seven figures – and would not have been undertaken lightly. As a result, employment is growing – supported by a stronger emphasis on recruitment, training and staff retention… all of which were themes seen in many of the awards entries from these finalists.”

Mr Robertson said it was also encouraging to see such a broad spectrum of business ownerships represented in the list of finalists – from private companies and family-run venues, through to large corporate entities with a multi-national presence.

“And in a geographical sense, we have finalists stretching the length of New Zealand – from the Bay of Islands in the north to Invercargill and Fiordland in the south. That scope shows the true depth and quality of the hospitality sector across New Zealand,” Mr Robertson said.

Entrants into the Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence are judged over a six week period by a panel of independent industry professionals who assess every competitor on a range of commercial and operational criteria – including staff training and human resources, customer service, marketing and promotional activities, and the demonstration of business growth.

Winners at Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence will be announced at the organisation’s national conference being held in Queenstown on September 25 and 26.

For more information go to www.hospitalitynz.org.nz/Events

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