Corey Hume, Executive Chef at the True South Dining Room, The Rees Hotel Queenstown has won the Best Hotel Chef 2021 title at the HM Awards.
The HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence, are the leading industry awards in the region and celebrate the best properties, departments, people, chains and brands in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Each year, more than 1,500 nominations are assessed to determine more than 40 category winners. The host, HM magazine is a sister publication to Hospitality Business, in the Intermedia stable.
In the 19-year history of the HM Awards, over 10,000 people have attended the annual event and over 750 awards handed out.
The HM awards were held at the Sydney Town Hall, and Virginia Haddon accepted the Hotel Chef of the Year 2021 for the second consecutive year on behalf of The Rees Executive Chef, Corey Hume. The Rees’ Jimmy Meepol, Chief Concierge and Mark Rose, General Manager both received Highly Commended for 2021.
“Corey’s win for two consecutive years is a reflection of his talent and creativity and, is an attraction at our annual The Culinary Series,” says Mark Rose, CEO of The Rees Hotel.
HM Awards Chief Judge and Founder, HM magazine’s Editor-In-Chief, James Wilkinson, said this year was again more important than ever to recognise the hard work and dedication of so many individuals and teams.
“HM was proud to produce and present the 2021 HM Awards, particularly one that has again been the most challenging in history for the Australasian accommodation industry,” he said.
“We received over 1,250 entries for the 2021 HM Awards, on par with our record number in 2019, and amongst them were so many stars from this amazing industry.
“I’m proud to say the entries this year – from chefs to housekeepers, five-star resorts and apartment hotels – were incredible and it was terrific to see so many staff and properties highlight so many achievements in challenging times.
“The quality of the winners and highly commended recipients – a full list can be found below – represents some of the industry’s finest and well done to everyone in 2021 across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific,” Wilkinson said.
The 2021 HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence were presented by Sealy Posturepedic; co-hosted by ahs hospitality, the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School (BMIHMS) at Torrens University Australia and Hostplus; sponsored by Foxtel Business (the 2021 HM Awards Entertainment and AV Partner), De Beaurepaire Wines, DYSON, Sanpellegrino, Ecolab, FutureLog, HoneyBadger Technologies, American Standard, ASSA ABLOY, Bidfood, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Cvent, Patron Tequila, TimeFlyz and White Bay Beer Co; and supported by TravMedia, Watson Farley and Williams and WAYFARER.
And the 2021 Winners are:
Serviced Apartment Property
Presented by: Sealy
WINNERS:
-Adina Apartment Hotel Bondi Beach Sydney, NSW
-Quest Orange, NSW
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, NSW
-Wyndham Surfers Paradise, QLD
Economy Hotel
Presented by: ahs hospitality
WINNERS:
-Adabco Boutique Hotel, Adelaide, SA
-Brassey Hotel, Barton, ACT
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-ibis Adelaide, SA
-ibis Sydney World Square, NSW
Midscale Hotel
Presented by: Blue Mountains Hotel Management School
WINNERS:
-Atura Adelaide Airport, SA
-Novotel Sydney Olympic Park, NSW
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Holiday Inn Sydney Airport, NSW
-Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst, NSW
Upscale Hotel
Presented by: ahs hospitality
WINNERS:
-Little National Hotel Sydney, NSW
-Ovolo The Valley, Brisbane, QLD
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Coral Sea Resort, Airlie Beach, QLD
-Crowne Plaza Sydney Coogee Beach, NSW
Upper-Upscale Hotel
Presented by: ASSA ABLOY
WINNERS:
-Crystalbrook Riley, Cairns, QLD
-Spicers Guesthouse, Pokolbin, NSW
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Hilton Sydney, NSW
-Sails in the Desert, Voyages Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara, NT
Luxury Hotel
Presented by: Dyson
WINNERS:
-Crown Towers Sydney, NSW
-Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, NSW
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Eos by SkyCity, Adelaide, SA
-Shangri-La Sydney, NSW
Australian Lodge
Presented by: Sealy
WINNERS:
-Cradle Mountain Lodge, TAS
-Sequoia lodge, Adelaide Hills, SA
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Spicers Peak Lodge, Maryvale QLD
-Sweven Estate, Cattai, NSW
Business Hotel
Presented by: TimeFlyz
WINNERS:
-Crowne Plaza Adelaide, SA
-Hilton Sydney, NSW
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Pan Pacific Perth, WA
-The Inchcolm by Ovolo, Brisbane, QLD
Resort
Presented by: Blue Mountains Hotel Management School*
WINNERS:
-InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, QLD
-JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort and Spa, QLD
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel, Leura, NSW
-Voyages Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara, NT
Interior Design
Presented by: American Standard
WINNERS:
-Little National Hotel Sydney, NSW
-W Melbourne, VIC
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Next Hotel Melbourne, VIC
-Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets, SA
Boutique Hotel
Presented by: Blue Mountains Hotel Management School*
WINNERS:
-QT Melbourne, VIC
-The Langham, Sydney, NSW
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Ovolo South Yarra, VIC
-The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa, Palm Cove, QLD
New Hotel
Presented by: Foxtel Business
WINNERS:
-Crown Towers Sydney, NSW
-Eos by SkyCity, Adelaide, SA
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, TAS
-W Melbourne, VIC
Meetings & Conferencing Property
Presented by: Cvent
WINNERS:
-Hotel Realm, Barton ACT
-Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, NSW
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Hyatt Regency Sydney, NSW
-W Brisbane, QLD
Regional Property
Presented by: ahs hospitality
WINNERS:
-Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill, VIC
-Peppers Silo Launceston, TAS
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley, NSW
-Sequoia lodge, Adelaide Hills, SA
Hotel Day Spa
Presented by: HOSTPLUS
WINNERS:
-Alamanda Spa, Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore, QLD
-Waldheim Alpine Spa, Cradle Mountain Lodge, TAS
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Chi, The Spa, Shangri-La Sydney, NSW
-Ubika Day Spa, Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel, Leura, NSW
Hotel Bar
Presented by: Patron Tequila / Bacardi
WINNERS:
-Dean & Nancy on 22 at A by Adina Sydney, NSW
-Zephyr Bar, Hyatt Regency Sydney, NSW
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Alibi Bar, Ovolo Woolloomooloo, NSW
-Merrymaker Rooftop Bar, Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets, SA
Hotel Restaurant
Presented by: Bidfood
WINNERS:
-Hardy’s Verandah, Mount Lofty Estate, Adelaide Hills, SA
-Nineteen at The Star, The Star Gold Coast, QLD
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Five Regions Restaurant, Oval Hotel, Adelaide, SA
-Glass Brasserie, Hilton Sydney, NSW
Tech Hotel
Presented by: HoneyBadger Technologies
WINNERS:
-Little National Hotel Sydney, NSW
-Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, NSW
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Crown Towers Sydney, NSW
-Hotel X, Fortitude Valley, QLD
New Zealand Hotel
Presented by: Dyson
WINNERS:
-Park Hyatt Auckland
-Sofitel Queenstown
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-The Hotel Britomart, Auckland
-QT Auckland
New Zealand Regional
Presented by: DeBeaurepaire Wines
WINNERS:
-Pullman Rotorua
-Fable Dunedin
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Novotel Tainui Hamilton
-Swiss-Belboutique Napier
New Zealand Lodge
Presented by: Watson Farley and Williams
WINNERS:
-Fiordland Lodge, Te Anau
-The Landing, Bay of Islands
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawke’s Bay
-Wharekauhau Country Estate, Featherston
Fijian Property
Presented by: DeBeaurepaire Wines
WINNERS:
-Castaway Island Resort
-Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Club Wyndham Denarau Island
-Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa
South Pacific Property
Presented by: Sealy
WINNERS:
-The Stanley Hotel and Suites, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
-Pacific Resort Aitutaki, Cook Islands
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, French Polynesia
-Pacific Resort Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Marketing Campaign
Presented by: White Bay Beer Co.
WINNERS:
-Accor Pacific (Take Two)
-Ovolo Hotels, Australia (Year of the Veg)
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street, VIC (hotel launch)
-The Langham, Sydney, NSW (Pampered Pets)
Environmental Program
Presented by: ECOLAB
WINNERS:
-Castaway Island Resort, Fiji
-The Wildlife Retreat at Taronga, NSW
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Pro-invest Group, Australia
-Wyndham Destinations Asia-Pacific
Concierge
Presented by: HOSTPLUS
WINNERS:
-Milton Da Graca Lima, The Ritz-Carlton Perth, WA
-Siddhartha Kaul, Eos by SkyCity, Adelaide, SA
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-James Ridenour, Next Hotel Melbourne, VIC
-Jimmy (Nattapong) Meepol, The Rees Hotel, Queenstown, New Zealand
Hotel Chef
Presented by: S.PELLEGRINO
WINNERS:
-Corey Hume, True South Dining Room, The Rees Hotel, Queenstown, New Zealand
-John Churchill, Core Restaurant, Crowne Plaza Hobart, TAS
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Jin Choi, Hardy’s Verandah, Mount Lofty House, Adelaide Hills, SA
-Leron Ben Avraham, Tayim Restaurant, Harbour Rocks Hotel, Sydney NSW
Food and Beverage Associate
Presented by: FutureLog
WINNERS:
-Caitlin Bombell, QT Melbourne, VIC
-Liinaa Berry, Mount Lofty House and Sequoia lodge, Adelaide Hills, SA
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Jozef Uhlarik, Movenpick Hotel Hobart, TAS
-Valerie Teape, Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas, QLD
Human Resources Associate
Presented by: ahs hospitality
WINNERS:
-Mereoni Gusuivalu, Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Fiji
-Simon Tufrey, Wyndham Destinations Asia-Pacific
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Lisa Galway, Hilton Surfers Paradise, QLD
-Stephanie Lopesi, Novotel & ibis Sydney Darling Harbour, NSW
Sales and Marketing Associate
Presented by: HOSTPLUS
WINNERS:
-Ben Johnson, Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort and Castaway Island, Fiji
-Katie Finlay, TFE hotels
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Bronwen Hemmings, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, QLD
-Nadia Dambrosi, Novotel Sydney Darling Square, NSW
Communications Associate
Presented by: Travmedia
WINNERS:
-Angela Cowley & Chris Waite, IHG Hotels and Resorts
-Claire Haigh & Naomi Hammond, Accor
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Chris Logan, Wyndham Destinations Asia-Pacific
-Karena Noble, EVENT Hospitality & Entertainment
Front Office Associate
Presented by: Blue Mountains Hotel Management School
WINNERS:
-Antonella Comuzio, QT Queenstown, New Zealand
-Jean Barba, The Darling Sydney, NSW
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Sukhjeev Kochar, Rydges Sydney Airport, NSW
-Tania Sarti, Next Hotel Melbourne, VIC
Finance Associate
Presented by: HOSTPLUS
WINNERS:
-Ben Gammans, TFE Hotels
-Vineel Anand, Accor Fiji
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Curtis Harris, Wyndham Destinations Asia-Pacific, QLD
-Sachida Nair, The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa, Fiji
Revenue Management Associate
Presented by: Blue Mountains Hotel Management School
WINNERS:
-Clare Coyle, Doma Hotels, Barton, ACT
-Yvon van Kesteren, Accor Sydney Olympic Park NSW and Novotel Canberra, ACT
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Mare Treneski, Novotel Sydney International Airport, NSW
-Renee Brealey, Elanor Investors Group Australia
Housekeeper
Presented by: ahs hospitality
WINNERS:
-Pratima Nand, Parkroyal Darling Harbour, NSW
-Monica Kozuszko-Pahl, Mayfair Hotel, Adelaide, SA
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Beverley Ferguson, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, QLD
-Cheryl Tilley, Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst, NSW
Hotel Engineer
Presented by: Foxtel Business
WINNERS:
-Mark Blain, Voyages Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara, NT
-Ted Kettle, The Wildlife Retreat at Taronga, NSW
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Andy Bedi, Pier One Sydney Harbour Autograph Collection, NSW
-Rajneel Sivan, The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa, Fiji
Rising Star
Presented by: HOSTPLUS
WINNERS:
-Claudia Ferrazzano, Rydges Sydney Central, NSW
-Atareta Moses, Novotel Auckland Airport, Ibis Budget Auckland Airport and The Sebel Manukau, New Zealand
-Jodie Goodwin, Accor Sydney Olympic Park, NSW
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Anmole Gulati, Park Hyatt Auckland, New Zealand
-Gaurav Gupta, Marriott International Fiji & Samoa
Ashley Spencer Service to the Industry Award
Presented by: HM Magazine
RECIPIENT:
-Patrick Griffin OAM
South Pacific General Manager
Presented by: Sealy
WINNERS:
-Darren Shaw, Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, Fiji
-Vincent Macquet, Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Fiji
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Kaydee George, Club Wyndham Denarau Island, Fiji
-Steven Andrews, Castaway Island Resort, Fiji
New Zealand General Manager
Presented by: ahs hospitality
WINNERS:
-Doron Whaite, QT Auckland
-Edward Judd, Novotel & ibis Rotorua
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Clinton Farley, The Hotel Britomart, Auckland
-Mark Rose, The Rees Hotel, Queenstown
Australian General Manager
Presented by: Sealy
WINNERS:
-Jesse Kornoff, Mount Lofty House, Adelaide Hills, SA
-Silvia Kypriotis, Harbour Rocks Hotel MGallery by Sofitel, Sydney, NSW
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Jodi Brown, Eos by SkyCity, Adelaide, SA
-Ralf Bruegger, InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, NSW
Service to the Community
Presented by: Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School
WINNERS:
-Accor New Zealand (Thanks from Iso)
-Quest Apartment Hotels
-Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Marriott International Fiji
-Wyndham Destinations Asia-Pacific (Wishes by Wyndham)
HM Awards Hall of Fame
Presented by: HM Magazine
RECIPIENT:
-Michael Johnson, Tourism Accommodation Australia
Hotel Brand
Presented by: Sealy
WINNERS:
-Hilton Hotels & Resorts
-QT Hotels & Resorts
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Novotel
-W Hotels
Accommodation Chain
Presented by: HOSTPLUS
WINNERS:
-Accor
-IHG Hotels & Resorts
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Hilton
-TFE hotels
Australasian Hotel
Presented by: Sealy
WINNERS:
-Crown Towers Sydney, NSW
-Park Hyatt Auckland, New Zealand
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Mount Lofty Estate, Adelaide Hills, SA
-Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, NSW
Australasian Hotelier
Presented by: HM Magazine
WINNERS:
-Julian Clark, Lancemore Group
-Leanne Harwood, IHG Hotels & Resorts
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-David Mansfield, Quest Apartment Hotels
-Matt Cameron-Smith, Voyages Indigenous Tourism
Asia-Pacific Hotelier
Presented by: HM Magazine
WINNERS:
-Jeff Wagoner, Outrigger Hospitality Group
-Rajeev Menon, Marriott International
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
-Alan Watts, Hilton
-David Udell, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts
* https://www.torrens.edu.au/blue-mountains-hotel-management-school
