Awards

This individual entered the Auckland hospitality scene in the last 5 years and has been bringing a whole new energy to the industry ever since. They’re either turning heads on the cafe floor, bringing innovative ideas to the table, or nailing the big jobs as well as the smaller, less glamorous tasks. Everyone wants this person on their team. As the winner of this award, the recipient will be given the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and skills in the industry and will take part in a mentoring programme designed to further their experience and grow their networks.

The Outstanding Bartender has excellent memory, a sense of humour and a unique personal style. They can make you…well pretty much anything, because they have some great understanding of the products they work with, the environment of the moment plus they have the incredible knack of reading their customer’s needs.

This establishment puts ale above all others, their selection of suds is both varied, unique, and interesting with a team that are all passionate about serving it too. Like a fine dining menu their beer selection encompasses complex styles, flavours, and varieties to suit even the most discerning palate.

The Outstanding cafe is an establishment that offers an array of great food, superb coffee, fabulous staff, ambience and standout customer service. This is the place where the team knows your order, and quite often knows when you are coming in.

The Outstanding Chef produces innovative and creative menus, showing exceptional culinary techniques using only the best ingredients. They can get the front of house team to believe in the dishes as much as they do, which in turn ensures their vision is successfully communicated to all guests.

The Outstanding Cocktail Experience venue blends the best of the city’s mixology with the most welcoming of hospitality.  It feels like ‘your spot’, a place to enjoy the company of friends, make new friends, or simply perch at the bar and unwind. The cocktails are innovative, interesting, thoughtful, and fun and the team behind them consummate professionals.

The Outstanding Establishment has been around for longer than two years. It attracts loyal fans back time and again and all the while gaining new ones. They constantly keep things fresh, but their winning formula is their team, their menus and beverage selection, a fantastic environment and their commitment to both customers and suppliers.

The Outstanding Front Of House / Waiter puts the customer first, they strive to establish a connection with them, and can adjust quickly with all the different types of guests and situations. Not only do they have a full knowledge of the menu, beverage, and wine lists but they use their initiative, are perceptive and tactful. They are passionate about the restaurant and the team they work with.

Our hero is an individual who, over an extended period, has shown outstanding commitment to the betterment of Auckland’s hospitality industry.  This person is a well-known personality through their continued involvement in the marketplace and is respected industry-wide for their business achievements and passion for the industry. They are a true brand ambassador for hospitality and willingly give their time and expertise to the next generation. An inspirational person, a shining star, who gets the undivided attention of all of us.

Great innovation has the ability to allow people to feed our communities in the very best way possible, save the planet, be more efficient and change the hospitality landscape for the better.   Inspirational innovation influences our Manaakitanga, the quality of food and beverage, as well as the technology needed to hit the ground running, impacting the industry in NZ for years to come.

The Outstanding Local Establishment East & Waiheke, located a ferry ride from Auckland to Waiheke Island or Bucklands Beach. Wineries, Restaurants, coffee carts and cafes. A place where family and friends meet regularly or on that special occasion. If you live in the area or visiting you will be met with a warm and friendly greeting, and have that feeling of a home away from home.

The Outstanding Local located across the Harbour Bridge is the hub of the community and a place where family and friends meet regularly and are also made to feel welcome and relaxed. It has that feeling of a home away from home! This is a place where you know you can pop in on your own or meet a group of friends and the staff will still know your name! Better yet they will know your drink!

The Outstanding Local located south of Greenlane is the hub of the community and a place where family and friends meet regularly and are also made to feel welcome and relaxed. It has that feeling of a home away from home! This is a place where you know you can pop in on your own or meet a group of friends and the staff will still know your name! Better yet they will know your drink!

The Outstanding Local located west of Waterview is the hub of the community and a place where family and friends meet regularly and are also made to feel welcome and relaxed. It has that feeling of a home away from home! This is a place where you know you can pop in on your own or meet a group of friends and the staff will still know your name! Better yet they will know your drink!

The Outstanding New Venue has been open for less than two years. Their venue stands apart from the others through their fantastic atmosphere but also for their point of difference. They have put as much time into the menu, their beverages, the atmosphere and their brand and the team of staff constantly showcase the values of the business through their consistency and passion.

Recognizing a single producer who creates a benchmark product of exceptional quality. The Outstanding Producer is the face behind the product, the one with the soil on their hands or the sweat on their brow. The products are grown, made, or curated with extra care and delivered into the market with pride. They are the starting point for what is put on your plate, poured in your glass, or served at your table.

The Outstanding Sales Representative / Brand Ambassador knows that each of their customers’ needs are different and that their world is not black and white, flexibility is the key! They are committed to the industry and always go the extra mile for their customers. They are an outstanding brand ambassador for the product they are selling as well as being an exceptional advocate for their customers out in the marketplace.

This award is presented to an organisation that inspires and leads others to make a difference through their sustainability practices.  A warrior of change that embodies a culture designed to leave a positive impact on both people and the environment. Their menus are designed with thought and our future in mind.

The Outstanding Wine Experience reflects both the overall style of the establishment, its wine list and level of service. It displays an excellent selection across multiple wine growing regions in both NZ and overseas, as well as a variety of wine styles. Incredible thought has gone into creating more than just a wine list, with the venue showing a commitment to both the wine and the menu, through their cellar and their service team.