Nationwide spread of finalists for Hospitality NZ Awards

Nationwide spread of finalists announced in this year’s Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence

The best of New Zealand’s hospitality industry has come to the fore as finalists have been announced in this year’s Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence. The range of finalists across some 15 categories encompasses everything from country pubs in small rural towns and cafes in provincial centres, through to upmarket gastro bars and five star hotels in the major cities.

Hospitality New Zealand chief executive Bruce Robertson said the common theme all finalists shared, was the outstanding levels of innovation, customer service and business professionalism they each displayed - along with the passion and enthusiasm embodied by their respective owners and operators.

"Our worthy finalists epitomise the crème-de-la-crème of New Zealand’s hospitality industry across all its guises - and were selected after a comprehensive and rigorous judging process," Mr Robertson said.

"The standard and quality among these finalists sets them apart from their competitors in the marketplace, and any of the finalists would make worthy winners. They are a proud reflection of where the cutting edge of New Zealand’s hospitality industry is moving – delivering consumers service standards and environments which are the equal of anywhere in the world."

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. 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 seven 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 Rotorua on September 17 and 18.

The finalists in this year’s Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence are:

Best Bar
Baretta, Christchurch
Chapel Bar and Bistro, Auckland
Good George Brewing and Dining Hall, Hamilton
St Johns Heineken Hotel, Wellington

Best Restaurant
Dux Dine, Christchurch
Portlander, Rydges Wellington
Smith & McKenzie Chophouse, Hamilton

Best Cafe
Replete Café & Store, Taupo
Revolve, Cambridge
The Batch Cafe, Invercargill

Best Accommodation Hotel
Jet Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Mangere, Auckland
Rydges Wellington
West Plaza Hotel, Wellington

Best New / Redeveloped Bar / Restaurant
Bloody Mary, Rydges Latimer Christchurch
Good Neighbour, Hamilton
Mashina Lounge, Christchurch Casino
Vinyl Bar, Wellington

Best New / Redeveloped Accommodation Hotel
Art Deco Masonic Hotel, Napier
Rydges Latimer, Christchurch
Stony River Hotel, Taranaki

Best Country Hotel
Chatto Creek Tavern, Alexandra
Sawyers Arms, Waipawa
Theatre Royal Hotel, Kumara
Waihi Beach Hotel, Waihi Beach

Best Music Entertainment Venue
Dux Live, Christchurch
King Street Live, Masterton
Studio the Venue, Auckland
The Mayfair, New Plymouth

Best TAB Venue
The Dark Horse, Auckland
The Tote & Furnace, Upper Hutt
Yardhouse, Hamilton

Excellence in Customer Service
Chatto Creek Tavern, Alexandra
Jet Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Mangere, Auckland
Larnach Castle, Dunedin
The Batch Cafe, Invercargill

Excellence in Gaming
Five Stags Leamington, Cambridge
Yardhouse, Hamilton

Excellence in Marketing
Chapel Bar and Bistro, Auckland
Jet Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Mangere, Auckland
Rydges Wellington
The Riverhead, Auckland

Excellence in Training & Staff Development
Jet Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Mangere, Auckland
St Johns Heineken Hotel, Wellington
The Batch Café, Invercargill
The Dominion, Auckland

Excellence in Host Responsibility
Christchurch Casino
El Horno, Wellington
St Johns Heineken Hotel, Wellington

Best Environmental, Sustainable and Ethical Practice
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, Wellington
Jet Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Mangere, Auckland

For more information visit www.hospitalitynz.org.nz

ENDS

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