Winners announced in Hospitality NZ Awards for Excellence

The best performing bars, restaurants, cafes and hotels in New Zealand’s hospitality industry have been announced as winners at this year’s Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence.

The range of winners across some 15 categories encompass everything from country pubs in small rural towns and cafes in provincial centres, through to upmarket gastro bars and five star hotels in the major cities.

The Jet Park Hotel & Conference Centre in Auckland was announced as the Supreme Champion of the awards at the Hospitality New Zealand national conference held in Rotorua on September 18.

Hospitality New Zealand chief executive officer Bruce Robertson said the calibre and breadth of winners at this year’s awards reflected the healthy state of the wider hospitality industry for those businesses which had invested in keeping ahead of their competition.

"Hospitality, like any economic sector, relies on a combination of innovation, professionalism, rigorous business practices, and a liberal dash of commitment and passion to generate ongoing success. The winners of this year’s awards display these attributes and pre-requisites in abundance - placing them clearly at the forefront of their peers," Mr Robertson said.

"The New Zealand public, and indeed international visitors too, can take every confidence that their patronage at these winning establishments will be rewarded with outstanding and memorable experiences.

"These worthy winners are a credit not only to their industry, but also to New Zealand as a whole, and truly represent the best that this country has to offer."

Also recognised was Michael Friend as the first recipient in to the Hospitality New Zealand Hall of Fame. Michael has had a long career not only on the front line of hospitality but also contributing to the industry beyond his business.

Entrants into the Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence are judged over a seven week period by a panel of independent industry professionals who assessed every competitor on a range of commercial and operational criteria - including staff training and human resources, customer service, marketing and promotional activities, and the demonstration of business growth.

The winners at this year’s Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence are:

- Supreme Champion

Jet Park Airport Hotel & Conference Centre, Auckland

-Best New/Redeveloped Bar/Restaurant

Mashina Lounge, Christchurch Casino

-Best Country Hotel

Theatre Royal Hotel, Kumara, West Coast

- Excellence in Host Responsibility

Christchurch Casino

- Excellence in Training and Staff Development

Jet Park Airport Hotel & Conference Centre, Auckland

- Best Restaurant

Smith & McKenzie Chophouse, Hamilton

- Excellence in Gaming

Yardhouse, Hamilton

- Best Accommodation Hotel

Rydges Hotel, Wellington

- Best Environmental, Sustainable and Ethical Practice

Jet Park Airport Hotel & Conference Centre, Auckland

- Best New/Redeveloped Accommodation Hotel

Art Deco Masonic Hotel, Napier

- Excellence in Customer Service

Larnach Castle, Dunedin

- Best Café

The Batch Café, Invercargill

- Best Bar

Chapel Bar and Bistro, Auckland

- Excellence in Marketing

Rydges Hotel, Wellington

- Best TAB Venue

Dark Horse, Auckland

- Best Music Entertainment Venue

Dux Live, Christchurch