Wellington’s finest food and beverage providers will be recognised at a special function at Te Papa, Tongarewa on Sunday October 17.
The Felix Wellington Hospitality Awards, an industry event to celebrate and promote the excellence of food and beverage offerings in the region, supports and encourages new emerging talent in the industry while also recognising established restaurateurs.
Those looking for a great place to dine out won’t be disappointed with Highwater Eatery, Ortega Fish Shack & Bar, Restaurant Amok and Rita all nominated for outstanding restaurant.
And the best chefs in the region have been recognised with Matt Hawkes of Bar Mason, Laura Greenfield from Field & Green, Kelda Haines of Rita and Shepherd Elliot of Shepherd Restaurant, all up for the outstanding chef accolade.
Casual dining is also recognised with A Taste of Home, KC Cafe and Takeaway, Soul Shack and The Greek Food Truck all nominated for Outstanding Casual Dining/Street Food.
The region’s best brunch spots join the celebration with Customs by Coffee Supreme, Floriditas, Milkcrate and Swimsuit all nominated in the outstanding café category.
The Wellington community has also voted for their favourite establishment in the Visa Wellington on a Plate People’s Choice Award.
Twenty awards in total will be presented to the best of the Wellington hospitality industry. From crew members, to suppliers, to establishments – the best of the best will be celebrated for their contribution to creating a world-class hospitality scene.
Restaurant Association CEO Marisa Bidois says, “This has been a challenging year for the industry but the local hospo communities continue to deliver exceptional dining experiences.
“The awards are an opportunity to recognise those providing an exceptional experience and spread the word about the amazing places there are to drink and eat in our capital city.”
And the finalists are: –
L’affare Outstanding Barista
Paige Simoneau, Black Coffee
Morgan West, Milkcrate
Zuyi Woon, Pour and Twist
Tait Burge, Swimsuit
Pernod Ricard Outstanding Bartender
Jonathan Dawson, Egmont St Eatery
Jack Driver, Hanging Ditch
Alex Vowles, Hawthorn Lounge
Pierre-Henri du Plessis, Night Flower
American Express Outstanding Front of House Team
Capitol Restaurant
Cinderella Bistro
Ortega Fish Shack & Bar
Shepherd Restaurant
Antipodes Water Outstanding Maitre’d
Patrick Ferrier, Cinderella Bistro
Dominique McMillian, Floriditas
Davey McDonald, Ortega Fish Shack & Bar
Chelsea Godinet, Shepherd Restaurant
Service Foods Outstanding Chef
Matt Hawkes, Bar Mason
Laura Greenfield, Field & Green
Kelda Haines, Rita
Shepherd Elliot, Shepherd Restaurant
Southern Hospitality Emerging Chef
Eom Jae Hoon, Havana Bar
Madison Grace, Hiakai
Kolja Lange, Hillside Kitchen & Cellar
Kyle Camara, Shepherd Restaurant
Waitoa Beer Outstanding Hospitality Professional
Alex Vowles, Hawthorn Lounge
Lewis Culshaw, HopDogs
Jackie Lee Morrison, Lashings
Paul Shrader, Rita
Burns & Ferrall Outstanding Street Food/Takeout
A Taste of Home
KC Cafe and Takeaway
Soul Shack
The Greek Food Truck
Meadow Fresh Outstanding Café
Customs by Coffee Supreme
Floriditas
Milkcrate
Swimsuit
Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding Beer Experience
Fortune Favours
Little Beer Quarter
Parrotdog Brewery
The Malthouse
Negociants Outstanding Wine Experience
Ascot
Highwater Eatery
Noble Rot Wine Bar
The Puffin
The National Distillery Outstanding Cocktail Experience
Crumpet Cocktail Bar
Hanging Ditch
Hawthorn Lounge
Night Flower
Coca Cola Europacific Outstanding Bar
Ascot
Havana Bar
Lulu Bar
The Rogue & Vagabond Craft Beer Bar
OneMusic Outstanding Ambience & Design
Bar Mason
Cinderella Bistro
Night Flower
The Puffin
Nova Energy Regional Establishment
50-50
Boneface Brewing Company
Parrotdog Brewery
Pinocchio Greytown
dinefind Outstanding Restaurant
Highwater Eatery
Ortega Fish Shack & Bar Restaurant
Amok
Rita
Te Papa Outstanding Sales Rep
Devendra Patel, Capital Produce
Stefan Pearce, Parrotdog Brewery
Casey Belsham, Pernod Ricard
Ollie Kettle, Vintners
Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding Supplier
Capital Produce
Hancocks Wine Spirits and Beer Merchants
Mineral
Moore Wilson’s
Moore Wilson’s Outstanding Caterer
Black & Gold
Food Envy Catering
Sarah Searancke Catering The Catering Studio
For tickets and more information go to: – hospitalityawards.co.nz/wellington/,
