The finalists for the 2018 Christchurch Hospitality Awards have been announced, with familiar faces and consistently good establishments vying for top spots.
Presented by the Restaurant Association of New Zealand and lead partner Trents Wholesale, the Christchurch Hospitality Awards recognise the outstanding hospitality professionals all making a positive impact on the local hospitality scene. A large number of nominations were received from the industry across 18 categories, recognising those who work hard to achieve excellence in hospitality.
Marisa Bidois, Chief Executive of Restaurant Association says, “The number of nominations received was an endorsement that the industry welcomes the awards as a means to support and recognise each other and is a real tribute to the calibre of talent in Christchurch hospitality. To be selected by your peers as a leader in your category is a great honour in itself”.
Final voting via the website is now open to the industry, closing at 5.00pm on Sunday, 19 August.
The public can also have their say and vote for their favourite establishment via the First Table People’s Choice Award. This will be awarded to an establishment that excels in customer service, consistency in food preparation and delivery, welcoming ambience and style, attention to detail and is always willing to go that extra mile.
The winners will be announced at the awards evening, to be held at Isaac Theatre Royal on Monday, 27 August.
2018 Christchurch Hospitality Awards Finalists:
Meadow Fresh Outstanding Barista of the Year
Ed Tanner, The Anchorage
Devon Boyd, Black and White Coffee Cartel
Zhen XU (Q), Strange Bandit by Luciano
Kailim Renwick, The Birdwood
Hellers Outstanding Café of the Year
Hello Sunday
Little Pom’s
Southside Social
Strange Bandit by Luciano
Jameson Outstanding Bartender of the Year
Sam ‘Bambi’ Barnett, Bangalore Polo Club
Gina Johns, The Last Word
Zac Goy, Red Light District
Federal Merchants & Co Outstanding Bar of the Year
Bangalore Polo Club
Boo Radley’s Food & Liquor
O.G.B.
Red Light District
ARA Institute of Canterbury Emerging Hospo Professional of the Year
Kim Proyer, Boo Radley’s Food & Liquor
Aydin Coskun, Red Light District
Abbie Brown, Twenty Seven Steps
Menumate Outstanding Front of House Team of the Year
O.G.B.
Twenty Seven Steps
Vesuvio
GrabOne Outstanding Manager of the Year
Timothy Swete, Amazonita
James Quinn, Boo Radley’s Food & Liquor
Jo Corkery, Twenty Seven Steps
Southern Hospitality Emerging Chef of the Year
Sarith Seng, O.G.B.
Jamie Jackson, Craft Embassy
Maki Matsumoto, Twenty Seven Steps
Burns & Ferrall Outstanding Chef of the Year
Sam Stewart, 5th Street
Clayton Laidlaw, Baretta
Simon Levy, Inati
Paul Howells, Twenty Seven Steps
Eaton Drink Co Pop Up Establishment of the Year
Indos Loveat
Smokey T’s
Vagabond Chefs
iMonitor Outstanding New Establishment of the Year
5th Street
Amazonita
Terrace Tavern
The Fermentist
OneMusic Outstanding Ambience & Design
5th Street
Amazonita
The Fermentist
Crombie Lockwood Outstanding Central City Establishment of the Year
Craft Embassy
Fat Eddies
O.G.B.
Eftpos NZ Outstanding Regional Establishment of the Year
Black Estate
Pegasus Bay Winery
The Bicycle Thief
Harrows Outstanding Restaurant of the Year
5th Street
Inati
Roots Restaurant
Twenty Seven Steps
The Recruitment Network Outstanding Caterer of the Year
Eaton Drink Co
The Bespoke Chef
White Tie Catering
McCarthy Outstanding Sales Rep of the Year
Richard Page, Aitkens Hospitality
Megan O’Neill, Hop and Vine
Andrew Johnston, Procure Liquor
NZI Outstanding Supplier of the Year
Good Honest Products
Hancocks
Red + White Cellar
Solotti