Outstanding cuisine in Taranaki is alive and well as the results of the Restaurant Association of New Zealand’s regional hospitality awards, held at New Plymouth’s TSB Showplace on September 5, show.
Plant based café Wild Pear Kitchen, located in New Plymouth’s CBD, has won both the Outstanding Café category and the People’s Choice award for providing a haven for lovers of vegetarian and vegan cuisine.
Toret-Cucina Italiana won both the Outstanding Restaurant and Best Regional Establishment titles for its authentic Italian dining, and Jeremy Webling of Fork N Knife was awarded the Outstanding Chef title for his contemporary New Zealand cuisine in a relaxed dining atmosphere.
Coffee culture is also flourishing in the region with Darcy Holden of Proof & Stock Coffee taking out the award for outstanding barista.
Restaurant Association CEO Marisa Bidois says that as hospitality starts its recovery from several challenging years, it is encouraging to see long-established attractions joined by new and emerging venues. “Taranaki is becoming a popular tourist destination attracting both domestic and international visitors so it’s no surprise to see new and innovative hospitality venues cropping up.”
“The Restaurant Association is dedicated to supporting the hospitality industry, providing support to business owners and the future leaders of our industry.
“The awards give us an opportunity to promote the local hospitality community, bringing people together to recognise our achievements in what continues to be unpredictable times. It is more important than ever to connect and celebrate one another’s success.”
Taranaki Hospitality Award Winners for 2022
Restaurant Association Outstanding Barista
Darcy Holden, Proof & Stock Coffee
Restaurant Association Outstanding Bartender
Luke Anderson, Shining Peak Brewery
Antipodes Water Outstanding Front of House Team
Shining Peak Brewery
WITT Emerging Chef
Aidan Davis, Snug Lounge
Bidfood Outstanding Chef
Jeremy Webling, Fork N Knife
Simply Squeezed Outstanding Café
Wild Pear Kitchen
Dinefind Outstanding Bar
Shining Peak Brewery
OneMusic Outstanding Ambience & Design
Shining Peak Brewery
Feastival Taranaki Outstanding Regional Establishment
Toret – Cucina Italiana
Shining Peak Brewery Outstanding Restaurant
Toret – Cucina Italiana
Known Unknown Outstanding Wine & Beverage List
The Hour Glass
KDJ Catering Outstanding Sales Rep
Kester Randall, Bidfood New Plymouth
South Taranaki District Council Outstanding Food & Beverage Producer
Juno Gin.
Eftpos NZ Outstanding Supplier
Bidfood New Plymouth
Mediaworks Outstanding People’s Choice
Shining Peak Brewery
Gilmours Supreme Award – Individual
Ajinkya ‘AJ’ Jagdale, The Hour Glass
Gilmours Supreme Award – Establishment
Shining Peak Brewing
