Wellington’s Te Papa Museum hosted and celebrated individuals and businesses at the top of their in the capital with the announcement of the winners of the 2022 Felix Awards.
Presented by the Restaurant Association of New Zealand with the support of lead sponsor Gilmours and Visa Wellington On a Plate, the awards acknowledge the outstanding hospitality professionals and businesses who are making a positive impact on the local hospitality, dining and drinking scene.
Ortega Fish Shack, loved by locals for its fine dining with a laidback, good-time vibe picked up four awards including Supreme Establishment and Best Restaurant.
Its Maitre’d, Davey Macdonald was also recognised, winning the award for Outstanding Hospitality Professional.
The accolade for best front of house team also went to Ortega Fish Shack completing their suite of awards.
Beautiful dining room fits outs were recognised with the outstanding ambience and design award which this year went to newly opened Kisa.
The capital boasts some of the best chefs in the country with Taylor Annals of Egmont St Eatery winning the award for outstanding chef.
Egmont St Eatery boasts edgy yet familiar dishes. They butcher on site with a nose to tail philosophy, source produce from local community gardens and do their own fermenting and preserving, with the aim of achieving zero waste.
Known for its café culture, the capital is not short of great places to grab a coffee and brunch with Customs Coffee Supreme winning the award for best café. A coffee lovers haven, the Customs team have sourced no less than nine international beans for the compact Te Aro café.
Julie Clark was honoured with the supreme individual award for her legacy in the Wellington hospitality industry.
Co-owner of three successful Wellington eateries, Loretta, Floriditas and Floriditas Bakery, Julie is passionate about the industry and is still hands on in her businesses.
Sarah Meikle, Festival Director of Visa Wellington On a Plate paid tribute to Julie saying “her influence on Wellington’s food scene established our modern brunch culture, which was at the time, revolutionary.
“We all know hospitality is a tough business, however, with her passion and determination she has been part of creating not only one of the city’s most beloved cafes and restaurants, but a legacy of renowned Wellington institutions adding to New Zealand’s culinary capital.”
Restaurant Association CEO Marisa Bidois says that as hospitality starts its recovery from several challenging years, it is great to take time to recognise the exceptional dining experiences on offer in the nation’s capital.
“A trip to Wellington is always a pleasure given the array of top-quality drinking, dining and caffeinating experiences on offer.
“The awards give us a great opportunity to celebrate their successes and give people a reason to go out and sample them.”
Wellington Hospitality Awards 2022 Winners
L’affare Outstanding Barista
Tim Norris, Customs Coffee Supreme
Pernod Ricard Outstanding Bartender
Meghan Webb, Hawthorn Lounge
Antipodes Water Outstanding Front of House Team
Ortega Fish Shack & Bar
Mount Cook Alpine Salmon Emerging Chef
Jimmy Whitefield, Amok
Anchor Food Professionals Outstanding Chef
Taylor Annals, Egmont St Eatery
Southern Hospitality Outstanding Café
Customs
Bombay Sapphire Outstanding Bar
Hawthorn Lounge
Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding Beer Experience
Parrot Dog
Negociants New Zealand Outstanding Wine Experience
Puffin
The National Distillery Outstanding Cocktail Experience
Hawthorn Lounge
OneMusic Outstanding Ambience & Design
Kisa
Nova Energy Outstanding Regional Establishment
Graze Wine Bar
Service Foods Outstanding Restaurant
Ortega Fish Shack
Te Papa Outstanding Sales Rep
Casey Belsham, Pernod Ricard
Restaurant Association Of NZ Outstanding Caterer
Food Envy
American Express Outstanding Supplier
Capitol Produce
Waitoa Beer Outstanding Hospitality Professional
Davey Macdonald, Ortega Fish Shack
Visa Wellington On a Plate Supreme Individual
Julie Clark
