We hope you didn’t go out for dinner last night, because everyone who is anyone in the hospitality industry took off their chef hat to attend the AHA Hospitality & Tourism Awards. The awards, which help plan our yearly culinary checklist, took place at the National Convention Centre on Monday 23 July, highlighting hotels, bars, and restaurants across the city doing great things.

On the back of last year’s record entries, the hospo scene has grown even more with the addition of RAKU in the city, the new kid on the block already noticed as Best Specialty Themed Restaurant.  Bar Rochford in the spotlight again this year after first being crowned Australia’s Best Bar and now recognised for Best Wine List. And the Duxton walking away with a smile from ear-to-ear after being awarded three times for Best TAB licensed, Best Functions/ Events and Best Pub Eatery. Another standout was Brian Smith from Hopscotch and Young & Frisky who took home the honourable John Press award for the second time!

See the full list of winners below!

John Press Award: Brian Smith
Member of the Year: Paul Tomas
Best Restaurant Service Employee: Maria Estanillo
Best Restaurant Cookery Employee: Matter Ouwerkerk
Best Front of House: Ringo Fung & David Utschink
Best Environmental Practice: Little National Hotel
Best Tourism Initiative: King O’Malley’s
Best Cocktail Bar: Black Market
Best Wine List: Bar Rochford
Best Live Entertainment Venue: Molly
Best Late Night Entertainment Venue: Hopscotch
Best TAB Licensed Venue: The Duxton
Best Sporting Entertainment Venue: The Dock
Best Functions and Events Venue: The Duxton
Best Functions and Events Hotel: Hyatt Hotel Canberra
Best Conference and Event Venue: National Convention Centre
Best New/redeveloped Hotel: Brassey Hotel
Best New/redeveloped Venue: Capital Brewing Co
Best Suit/Apartment Hotel: East Hotel
Best Mid-Range Accommodation: Forrest Hotel & Apartments
Best First Class Accommodation: Little National Hotel
Best Superior accommodation: East Hotel
Best Hotel Restaurant: Buvette Bistro & Wine Bar
Best Deluxe Accommodation: Jamala Wildlife Lodge & Hotel Realm
Best Specialty Themed Restaurant: RAKU
Best Restaurant: Pomegranate
Best Casual Dining: Black Fire Restaurant
Best Beer: Bentspoke Brewing Co & Capital Brewing Co
Best Steak: Capitol Bar & Grill
Best Burger: The District
Best Pub Eatery: The Duxton
Best Local (North): Edgards Inn
Best Local (South): Public