The Wellington hospitality industry acknowledged the outstanding abilities of its own with the announcement of the winners of the Felix Wellington Hospitality Awards ceremony held at the Embassy Theatre.
Presented by the Restaurant Association of New Zealand and lead partners Lexis Comply Hub, the awards acknowledge the outstanding hospitality professionals, all of whom are making a positive impact on the local café and dining scene.
Ground breaking chef Monique Fiso known for pushing the boundaries of Māori cuisine, won three awards for her new restaurant Hiakai.
Fiso also won in the outstanding chef category while her restaurant Hiakai picked up the outstanding restaurant award. Recognition also goes to Elton Song in the emerging chef category.
Soul Shack Hot Chicken picked up the People’s Choice Award for their popular Nashville style friend chicken.
Great service didn’t go unrecognised with Jessica Wood of popular wine bar Noble Rot picking up the award for emerging front of house professional while Ortega Fish Shack and Bar picked up the award for outstanding front of house team.
Josh Pointed, also of Noble Rot collected the award for outstanding hospitality professional.
Great cafes are not lacking in Wellington with Prefab Eatery winning the award for outstanding café and Tait Burge of Swimsuit recognised as the region’s outstanding barista.
Those looking for a place to get a great drink also won’t be disappointed with the region’s top notch bars recognised.
Matt Robers of Bristow Poquito bar takes out the award for outstanding bartender while Crumpet Bar wins outstanding cocktail experience.
Outstanding new establishment went to Cuba St’s Highwater Eatery.
CEO Marisa Bidois says, “Wellington has a vibrant and world leading hospitality scene which deserves to be recognised. Our goal is to recognise those providing an exceptional experience to Wellingtonians and connect them to one another and the local dining community.”
The Wellington Hospitality Awards Winners 2019
L’affare Outstanding Barista:
Tait Burge, Swimsuit
Chivas Regal Outstanding Bartender:
Max Roberts Bristow, Poquito Bar
Antipodes Emerging Front of House:
Jessica Wood, Noble Rot Wine Bar
Helping Hands Outstanding Front of House Team:
Ortega Fish Shack & Bar
Moet Hennessy Outstanding Maitre d:
Sophie Garnham, Monsoon Poon
Le Cordon Bleu Emerging Chef:
Elton Song, Hiakai
Gilmours Outstanding Chef:
Monique Fiso, Hiakai
Southern Hospitality Outstanding Café:
Prefab Eatery
Black Dog Brewery Outstanding Beer Experience:
Fortune Favours
Negociants Outstanding Wine Experience:
Noble Rot Wine Bar
Monin NZ Outstanding Cocktail Experience:
Crumpet Bar
Service Foods Outstanding Casual Dining/Street Food Experience:
A Taste of Home
OneMusic Outstanding Ambience & Design:
Night Flower
Nova Energy Outstanding Suburban/Regional Experience:
Salty Pidgin
BCE Catering Equipment Outstanding New Establishment:
Highwater Eatery
Champagne Laurent-Perrier Outstanding Restaurant:
Hiakai
The Recruitment Network Outstanding Caterer:
Ruth Pretty Catering
Harbourside Function Venue Outstanding Sales Rep:
Jamie Andrew Lawton, Hop and Vine
Crombie Lockwood Insurance Brokers Outstanding Supplier:
Moore Wilson’s
Villa Maria Outstanding Hospitality Professional:
Josh Pointon, Noble Rot Wine Bar
Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding People’s Choice:
Soul Shack Hot Chicken
