The hospitality industry saluted its community leaders at its long-running Feast By Famous Chefs dinner in Auckland on 13 September.
Wellington restaurateur Mike Egan, Auckland entrepreneur and restaurant owner Michael Meredith and Conscious Consumers have all been honoured for their special contributions.
The awards were announced at the dinner presented by four leading Kiwi chefs as part of a two-day Hospitality Summit organised by The Restaurant Association of New Zealand.
Mike Egan has been inducted in to the Restaurant Association’s Hall of Fame which recognises individuals who have given and continue to give exceptional service to the hospitality industry.
Egan is regarded as one of the pioneers of Wellington hospitality opening numerous successful establishments, probably the most notable being Monsoon Poon (Wellington and Auckland) and Boulcott St Bistro. He has been the voice for the industry in Wellington, represented it on numerous steering groups and Committees and was part of the steering group that conceptualised Wellington on a plate. Mike dedicates his life to the restaurant industry. When he is not travelling the world absorbing all the trends, innovations and building a network in the restaurant industry he is at home working hard in his various successful hospitality businesses. Amongst a huge range of additional achievements he has also given years of his time and guidance in his role as Restaurant Association national president, Wellington branch president and as a Restaurant Association Education Trust Trustee.
CEO of The Restaurant Association of New Zealand Marisa Bidois says hospitality is part of the country’s social fibre and cornerstone of our economy. “It’s an industry that creates opportunity, careers or just a start. Nearly half of all New Zealanders have worked in the food service industry. As the national president of the Association Mike has consistently given back to the industry. He is an excellent operator and an inspiration to the industry, just as are all our award winners.”
Renowned Auckland restaurateur Michael Meredith from Merediths has been honoured with the Good Neighbour Award 2015 sponsored by American Express together with $2,000 to support a charity or community project they are involved in. Meredith has deep community involvement most recently in the Eat My Lunch school lunch project and through his Mt Eden restaurant’s dine-by-donation nights. He is a Fred Hollows Foundation ‘Miracle Maker’ and has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the foundation through auctions, dinners and direct appeals. Meredith has also participated in the Live Below the Line global initiative aiming to build a movement to end the extreme poverty experienced by 1.2 billion people worldwide.
Conscious Consumers has been honoured with the Innovator of the Year Award. It is a New Zealand-based social enterprise that connects businesses, with a particular focus on the hospitality sector, with customers interested in social and environmental issues. The business operates in Wellington, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago with plans to add more regions in the near future.
Conscious Consumers assesses hospitality businesses and their suppliers for 12 practices that make good business sense, respect people and the environment and reflect current conscious consumer preferences. Badges are awarded for each practice, which are displayed on business’ websites. Since setting up the scheme five years ago it has accredited more than 400 businesses throughout New Zealand.
