The nation’s best pub food and hotels have been recognised at the 2019 Australian Hotels Association National Awards for Excellence.
Nearly 500 VIP and industry guests from across Australia were at The Star on the Gold Coast this week for the gala ceremony.
Sydney’s Barangaroo House was named Overall Hotel of the Year Metropolitan (pictured below), while Tasmania’s Shoreline Hotel took the Overall Hotel of the Year Regional title.
Crown Towers Perth won Overall Hotel of the Year (Accommodation Division).
Australia's best pub food
Shoreline Hotel was also rewarded for serving some of the country's best pub food - it won Best Regional Bistro - its Pork Four Ways is pictured main - while Best Metropolitan Bistro went to The Oaks in NSW.
The hard-fought Chef of the Year title went to Christopher Bonello, MPD Steak Kitchen, Zagame’s Berwick Hotel (Victoria).
Zagame's also won the Best Family Dining award for its Boronia Club Hotel in Victoria.
AHA NSW and National President Scott Leach said the venues and their hardworking staff showcased the best of Australian tourism and hospitality to the world.
“Our national awards annually draw together the best venues of the year from right across Australia,” he said.
“Together, our finalists show that when you’re at your local there’s no better place to be in Australia.
“We are here today to celebrate the outstanding individuals who drive our hotel businesses and make them the engine room of the Australian hospitality and tourism industries. I want to congratulate all finalists and winners on a job well done.”
Leach paid particular tribute to the efforts of the 2019 Hall of Fame recipient Paul Jubb, a fourth generation hotelier.
“Today’s inductee is someone who has never forgotten that at our core we are an industry which serves,” he said.
“He has always put the needs of others before his own, whether that be his customers, his family or his fellow publicans. He is true publican and a very deserving inductee into the Hall of Fame.”
In a more sombre moment, Leach paid tribute to the late Peter Burnett, the former national AHA president, who passed away earlier this year.
“Peter made an undeniable contribution to our industry. His efforts and achievements will echo through to the next generation, such was his impact and influence on our industry,” he said.
“We mourn the loss of Peter as we honour his legacy.”
2019 AHA National Awards for Excellence – full list of winners
Employee Excellence in Service - General Division: Daren Holscher, Odyssea City Beach, WA
Front of House Employee of the Year - General Division: Pauric Kennedy, Barangaroo House, NSW
Chef of the Year: Chris Bonello, MPD Steak Kitchen, Zagame's Berwick Hotel, VIC
Employee Excellence in Service - Accommodation Division: Yvonne Qian, Sheraton Melbourne Hotel, VIC
Front of House Employee of the Year - Accommodation Division: Laurent Johnson, Melbourne Marriott Hotel, VIC
Hotel Industry Rising Star - joint winners: Nick Warner, Holiday Inn Express Brisbane Central, QLD & James Lightbody, Hotel Realm, ACT
Best Tourism Initiative: Voyages Ayers Rock Resort, NT
Best Bar Presentation & Service – Regional: Beach House Hotel, QLD
Best Bar Presentation & Service – Metropolitan: Long Chim Perth, WA
Draught Beer Quality Award: The Barker Hotel, SA
Best Hotel Bar - Accommodation Division: Alibi, Ovolo Woolloomooloo, NSW
Best Retail Liquor Outlet: Beach House Hotel, QLD
Best TAB Licensed Venue: Zagame's Golden Point Club Hotel, VIC
Best Keno Venue: Welcome Stranger Hotel, VIC
Best Gaming Venue – Regional: Jubilee Tavern, QLD
Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan: Mawson Lakes Hotel & Function Centre, SA
Best Family Dining: Zagame's Boronia Club Hotel, VIC
Best Restaurant – Metropolitan: Wildflower at COMO The Treasury, WA
Best Restaurant - Accommodation Division: Hardy's Verandah Restaurant, Mount Lofty House, SA
Best Restaurant – Regional: Furneaux Restaurant, TAS
Best Marketed Hotel - General Division: The Ramsgate Hotel, SA
Best Marketed Hotel - Accommodation Division: The Island Gold Coast, QLD
Best Meeting and Events Venue: Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel, NSW
Best Suite/Apartment Hotel: East Hotel, ACT
Best Sporting Entertainment Venue: Hunters Hill Hotel, NSW
Best Environmental & Energy Efficiency Practice: Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, NSW
Best Hotel Accommodation - General Division: Stirling Hotel, SA
Best Mid-Range Accommodation: Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders, VIC
Best Bistro – Regional: Shoreline Hotel, TAS
Best Bistro – Metropolitan: The Oaks, NSW
Best Entertainment Venue: Corner Hotel, VIC
Outstanding Community Service & Achievement: Vine Inn Barossa, SA
Best Superior Accommodation: Maylands Lodge, TAS
Best Outdoor/Non Enclosed Facility: Sandstone Point Hotel, QLD
Outstanding Achievement in Training: Grand Hyatt Melbourne, VIC
Best Redeveloped Hotel - General Division: The Court
Best Redeveloped Hotel - Accommodation Division: The Darling, The Star Gold Coast, QLD
Best Deluxe Accommodation: The Darling, The Star, Gold Coast, QLD
Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame Award: Paul Jubb
Best Hotel Group Operator: Feros Group
Overall Hotel of the Year - Regional: Shoreline Hotel, TAS
Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan: Barangaroo House, NSW
Overall Hotel of the Year - Accommodation Division: Crown Towers Perth, WA
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