- Atticus Finch voted Outstanding Restaurant of the Year
- People’s choice winner is Indian Star Restaurant
The Rotorua hospitality industry acknowledged the outstanding abilities of its own with the announcement of the winners at the Rotorua Hospitality Awards ceremony held on Sunday night.
Presented by the Restaurant Association of New Zealand and lead partners Gilmours 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.
Speak easy meets metropolitan eat street bistro Atticus Finch took out supreme restaurant. Bartender Sean Kelly was also recognised picking up the award for outstanding bartender.
Indian restaurant Indian Star was the people’s choice, with members of the dining public overwhelmingly selecting it as their favourite place to dine.
Locals and visiting guests looking for an exceptional dining experience can be assured of it this year with Bruce Thomason of Ambrosia Restaurant & Bar awarded the accolade of outstanding chef.
In a new category for 2021 El Mexicano Zapata Express won the award for outstanding street food/takeout.
Funky Tutanekai Street eatery Scope Cafe, picks up the award for outstanding café.
Great service did not go unrecognised with Monica Muzzioli of Regent of Rotorua picking up the award for outstanding wait person while Third Place Café 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.
Sean Kelly of Atticus Finch took out the award for outstanding bartender while Little BREW | Craft Beer Pub won outstanding bar.
Restaurant Association CEO Marisa Bidois says, “Rotorua is recognised globally for its manaakitanga. It’s so important that hospitality recognises our champions as it provides not only a peer benchmark for excellence, but also serves to give our local community and our visitors valuable guidelines on the best places to visit.
“We believe it’s important to shine a light on our industry and ensure hospitality is recognised for its contribution to our local community and visitor economy”.
Jason Morrissey of Gilmours says “we’re so proud to be involved in the industry that has had to show the most resilience of all. Hospitality is hard in the good times and we have all managed to survive and thrive”.
The winners were announced at a sell-out awards ceremony held at the Energy Events Centre on Sunday, 25 July.
