Queenstown’s hospo stars shine again
A host of Queenstown hospo people and businesses have been announced as finalists for the Hospitality New Zealand Awards For Excellence 2023.
Bert Haines, of Future Hospitality Group (FHG), and Blair Impey, Republic Hospitality Group, are both on the five-man shortlist for Hospitality Leader of the Year.
FHG’s Liam Cabourn is tipped as a Future Leader of the Year, while Juliearna Kavanagh, of Hop on Hop Off Wine Tours, makes the Supplier of the Year final.
In the hotel sector, both QT Queenstown and Ramada Remarkables will battle it out for the prestigious Hotel of the Year award.
Kamana Lakehouse has been shortlisted as Best Luxury Accommodation and Garden Court Suites & Apartments is the finals of Best Motel Over 25 Rooms.
Botswana Butchery will represent the town as the only local establishment in the finals for Best Restaurant, but Kamana Lakehouse has made the Best Fine Dining final, along with The Bunker Restaurant and Bar.
Kamana Lake House is also up for the Best Restaurant in an Accommodation Venue, so could take down three awards on the night.
Last year’s Best Bar winner Little Blackwood, owned and operated by FHG, is again in the finals, while Yonder is on the shortlist as Best Late-Night Venue/Live Entertainment Venue, and The Locker Room Sports Bar will contest the Best Sports Bar final.
Hosted by Hospitality New Zealand, and sponsored by Lion New Zealand, the awards are the longest running, biggest and most prestigious national hospitality awards for excellence, recognising the best talent and finest the hospitality and accommodation industries have to offer.
Winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Pullman Hotel, Auckland, on 28 June – the final night Hospitality New Zealand Conference.
There are 20 categories, from which the overall Supreme winner will be chosen. In 2022, Cargo Gantley’s Pub & Cafe, Arthurs Point, was the Supreme winner, after winning the Best New / Redeveloped Hospitality gong.
Future Hospitality Group also won the 2022 final of Excellence in People and Culture.
There is also the People’s Choice Award, which is open to finalists across every category and voted on by the public.
Hospitality NZ Chief Executive Julie White says she is delighted by the number of entries.
“These awards are the pinnacle of our industry so we were expecting a lot of interest, and we have not been disappointed.
“We want to recognise and reward members who create the highest possible standards and experiences for both their guests and their team.
“I didn’t envy the judges’ job to whittle the number of entries down to these finalists, but they’ve done a great job in sorting out the best of the best.
“Every year it’s a shame we have to single out anyone because operator and worker across the hospitality and accommodation sectors deserves an award for the perseverance they’ve shown.
“It’s inspiring to see hospitality businesses still striving to be the best and to meet customers’ needs after what they’ve been through.”
The Industry’s Leader of the Year People’s Award categories, will be announced at the Hospitality Social Event on the evening of June 27.
