New Zealand King Salmon CEO, Grant Rosewarne presents the Restaurant of the Year Award to Hopgood's representatives. Photo: Sarah Board.

Dining out on awards

0
3251

Behold, the best in Nelson’s hospitality business.

After nearly two months of nominations and votes, Nelsonians have made their choices for the biennial Nelson Hospitality Awards.

The awards were held last night at the Rutherford Hotel, recognising the finest in the region’s hospitality scene.

Seventeen trophies were dished out, with a wide range of venues and individuals recognised.

The big awards went to Hopgoods for restaurant of the year, Speight’s Ale House for bar of the year and best entertainment venue, while DeVille claimed cafe of the year.

Jessie Verhoef of Cod & Lobster won head chef of the year, while Hopgood’s Wei Lu won up and coming chef of the year.

Denise Gibson from The Indian Cafe won waiter/maitre d’ of the year.

Tania Kitto of The Coffee Factory took out barista of the year while Zinnia Alice Nichol Foster from Urban Eatery won barperson of the year.

Other winners included: Sprig & Fern Tahuna (outstanding host responsibility), Rimu Wine Bar (outstanding beverage list), McCashins Brewery Kitchen and Bar (outstanding ambience and service), Nahm (outstanding ethnic cuisine), TOAD Hall (outstanding suburban venue), while Century Park Motor Lodge and Quality Inn Nelson won best small and large accommodation providers.

Nelson Hospitality Awards committee member Mishael Sowman said she was thrilled with how the awards went.

“We are so pleased with spread of award winners across the industry and venues. We had a fabulous party tonight, with many getting a night off to celebrate. A big congratulations to all the winners, nominees and everybody involved.”

Mishael also said entries and votes were significantly up on other years, which helped boost the profile of the awards.

“The introduction of online voting through the website, and voting through the Nelson App definitely made it easier for people to vote and also captured a younger age group, which was great.”