Night-of-nights for Canberra's hospitality industry
Tonight, the who’s-who of Canberra’s hospitality industry gathered at QT Hotel to celebrate the Australian Hotel’s Associations’ ACT Hospitality Awards.
Representatives from the city’s favourite restaurants, bars and hotels gathered to acknowledge the huge advances the industry has made over the last 12 months. From record tourism numbers to reformed licensing requirements, there has been a lot of activity in this space.
AHA ACT President Michael Capezio used the evening as a platform to further reform the industry, particularly around the issuing of poker machine licenses and Aquis’ casino proposal.
"If the casino is permitted to have poker machines, there needs to be a level playing field across the industry"
Equally important were the evening’s many awards. The John Press Award, granted to an individual with a dedicated and ongoing commitment to the industry, was given to Ryan Sabet from Kicks Entertainment and Academy nightclub.
"To be honest. i wasn't expecting this - but it's fantastic to be recognised as a part of the industry that I love," said Ryan as he accepted the award in front of a crowd of almost 500 people.
The evening featured plenty of other winners. Here is the full list.
AWARD |
WINNER |
John Press Award |
Ryan Sabet |
Member of the Year |
Patina Farnham |
Best Restaurant Service Employee (Accommodation Division) |
Paola Passone Vasconcelos, Premier Hotel & Apartments |
Best Restaurant Service Employee (General Division) |
Sharni Watson, The Dock |
Best Restaurant Cookery Employee (General & Accommodation Division combined) |
Damian Barbender, OTIS Dining Hall |
Best Apprentice Chef |
Jasmine Sawa, Hotel-Hotel |
Best Front of House Employee (Accommodation Division) |
Hannah Krippner, Hotel-Hotel |
Best Hotel Restaurant |
Capitol Bar & Grill |
Best Cocktail Bar |
Bar Rochford |
Best Wine List (General & Accommodation Division combined) |
Buvette Bistro & Wine Bar |
Best Café Restaurant |
The District Crace |
Best Restaurant |
Pomegranate |
Best use of Local Produce |
Pialligo Estate |
Best Bar Presentation and Service |
Public |
Best Meetings and Events Hotel |
Hotel Realm |
Best Meetings and Events Venue |
National Convention Centre |
Best New/Redeveloped Hotel |
Agostinis, East Hotel |
Best New/Redeveloped Venue |
The Duxton |
Best Marketed Hotel |
Little National Hotel |
Best Tourism Initiative |
King O'Malley's |
Best Environmental Practice |
Little National Hotel |
Best Late Night Entertainment Venue |
Hopscotch |
Best Live Entertainment Venue |
King O'Malley's |
Best Sporting Entertainment Venue |
The Dock |
Best TAB Licensed Venue |
The Duxton |
Best Beer (draught or craft) |
The George Harcourt Inn |
Best Burger |
Ducks Nuts Bar & Grill |
Best Steak |
Capitol Bar & Grill |
Best Pub Bistro |
Casey Jones |
Best Local |
The Duxton |
Outstanding Community Service & Achievement |
King O'Malley's |
Best Suite/Apartment Hotel |
East Hotel |
Best Mid-Range Accommodation (3-3.5 Star) |
Brassey Hotel |
Best First Class Accomodation (4 Star) |
Little National Hotel |
Best Superior Accommodation (4.5 Star) |
Burbury Hotel & Apartments & QT Canberra |
Best Deluxe Accommodation (5 Star) |
Jamala Wildlife Lodge |
Best Deluxe Accommodation (5 Star) |
Hotel Realm |