Central Queenstown eatery Blue Kanu, famed for blending Pacifica and Asian styles together to create what they call “Polynasia”, has taken the supreme establishment award in the 2021 Queenstown Hospitality Awards.
Blue Kanu’s Pacifica inspired interiors were also recognised with the restaurant picking up the award for ambience and design.
Presented by the Restaurant Association of New Zealand and lead partners Trents Wholesale and RA Lexis ComplyHub, the awards acknowledge the outstanding hospitality professionals, all of whom are making a positive impact on the local café, dining and drinking scene.
Winery restaurant Akarua Wines & Kitchen by Artisan was the people’s choice, with members of the dining public overwhelmingly selecting it as their favourite place to dine.
Tucked away in an urban forest of native trees, the outstanding restaurant accolade went to Rātā.
Locals and visiting guests looking for an exceptional dining experience can be assured of it this year with Yaan Robert ( see our feature in the May issue of Hospitality Business), of steak lovers paradise Jervois Steak House awarded the accolade of outstanding chef and supreme crew member.
New Category
In a new category for 2021 Tanoshi Iko won the award for outstanding casual dining/street food.
Located on Lake Wakatipu, historic cafe The Boat Shed Cafe & Bistro, picked up the award for outstanding café.
Great service did not go unrecognised with Emma Fitzpatrick of The Bunker picking up the award for outstanding maitre d’ while Aosta took out the award for outstanding front of house team.
Those looking for a place to get together with friends also won’t be disappointed with the region’s assortment of best bars recognised.
Shaun White of Eichardt’s Bar took out the award for outstanding bartender while Little Blackwood won outstanding bar.
Restaurant Association CEO Marisa Bidois says, “Queenstown is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to dining out, offering exceptional experiences in some of the world’s most stunning settings.
“It is a great opportunity to remind locals, domestic visitors and now Australians of all the incredible options for dining they have to choose from.
“It has never been more important for diners to get out and try the fantastic array of local dining spots so we hope these awards inspire visitors and locals to support the industry.”
The winners were announced at a sell-out awards ceremony held at the Skyline in Queenstown on Monday May 3.
Queenstown Hospitality Awards Winners 2021
The Hits Southern Lakes Outstanding People’s Choice
Akarua Wines & Kitchen by Artisan
Meadow Fresh Outstanding Barista
Tara Murray, Vudu Cafe & Larder
Cardrona Distillery Outstanding Bartender
Shaun White, Eichardt’s Bar
dinefind Front of House Team
Aosta
Antipodes Outstanding Maitre d’
Emma Fitzpatrick, The Bunker
Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Emerging Chef
Nathan Young, Sherwood
Southern Hospitality Outstanding Chef/Trents Supreme Crew Member
Yann Robert, Jervois Steak House
Menulog Outstanding Street Food/Casual Dining
Tanoshi Iko
Bidfood Outstanding Café
The Boat Shed Cafe & Bistro
Asahi Outstanding Bar
Little Blackwood
Pernod Ricard Outstanding Wine & Beverage List
Botswana Butchery
Canter Valley Outstanding Winery Restaurant
Akarua Wines & Kitchen by Artisan
OneMusic Outstanding Ambience & Design/Trents Supreme Establishment
Blue Kanu
Bidfresh Outstanding Regional Establishment
Bannockburn Hotel – Wine Country Restaurant & Bar
Eftpos NZ Outstanding Restaurant
Rātā
McCarthy Outstanding Sales Rep
Juanita Hart, Red + White Cellar
Skyline Queenstown Outstanding Supplier/Trents Supreme Supplier
Bidfood
