2017 LEWISHAM AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

The Lewisham Awards recognise every aspect that contributes to the excellence of Auckland’s vibrant and diverse dining and entertainment scene whether it is a new chef, barista, supplier or wine list. An amazing number of nominations will make for some strong competition to find the cream of Auckland hospitality in this year's Lewisham awards.

The total number of nominations surpassed last year’s total, with a number of new faces and names being put forward. Long established venues are being joined in the top four with amazing new venues and hospitality stars, which the Restaurant Association thinks identifies the consistently high standard across the industry. This year, the 15th year of the Lewisham Awards, has seen the addition of the “Outstanding Barista” and "Outstanding Cafe" categories.

The finalists voting gets underway from Tuesday 9th May to select the top 19 hospitality stars and will close for the final count on Sunday 28th May. The awards will be presented at The Langham on Sunday June 4th.

 

The 2017 Lewisham Awards finalists are:

Outstanding Waiter sponsored by Crombie Lockwood

Des Dillon, Soul Bar & Bistro

Melodee Pearce, Prego Restaurant

Rachele Pupilli, O'Connell St Bristro

Bailey Mullin, Soul Bar & Bistro

 

Outstanding Maitre' d sponsored by antipodes  

Nach Gonzalez, Conch Bar

Michelle Moore, The French Cafe

Matthew Aitchison, Cassia

Leighroy Wran, Blue Breeze Inn

 

Outstanding Bartender sponsored by Federal Merchant & Co

Asa Campbell, My Bar

Jeremy Nivern, Mea Culpa

Jonny Almario, Madame George

Kula Watcharawannee, Azabu

 

Outstanding Sales Representative sponsored by Restaurant Association of NZ

Emily Udjur, Southern Hospitality

Chris Mansfield, Hancocks Wine Spirit & Beer Merchants

Michael Thomasen, Southern Hospitality

John Meehan, Red & White

 

Outstanding Wine List sponsored by EuroVintage

O'Connell St Bistro

Ponsonby Road Bistro

Clooney

Euro Restaurant & Bar

 

Outstanding Supplier sponsored by Hospitality New Zealand

Southern Hospitality

Hancocks Wine Spirit & Beer Merchants

EuroVintage

Lion

 

Outstanding Wine Service Professional sponsored by Negociants

Grant Dingwall, Clooney

Benjamin Smith, O'Connell St Bistro

Ben Mardle, Euro Restaurant & Bar

Sonja Anich, Moo Chow Chow

 

Outstanding Local sponsored by Southern Hospitality

Golden Dawn

Coco's Cantina

Madame George

Pocket Bar

 

Outstanding Caterer sponsored by Fine Food NZ

LittleWolf

Urban Gourmet

Collective

The Great Catering Company

 

Outstanding Street Food sponsored by CLYTH MACLEOD

Dixie BBQ

Judge Bao

The White Lady

Coreano

 

Outstanding Bar sponsored by Hancocks Wine, Spirit & Beer Merchants

Caretaker

My Bar

Mea Culpa

Longroom

 

Outstanding Barista sponsored by Meadow Fresh

Zoe Warren, The Store

Samuel Te Kani, Eighthirty

Sam Holden, Pollen

Sai Okesene, Shakedown Milk Bar
Outstanding Cafe sponsored by Bidfood   

Chuffed

Seabreeze

Takapuna Beach

Shakedown Milk Bar

 

Outstanding New Venue sponsored by menumate

Amano

Caretaker

Augustus Bistro

Gemmayze Street

 

Outstanding Establishment sponsored by OneMusic

Euro Restaurant & Bar

Prego Restaurant

Soul Bar & Bistro

Cafe Hanoi

 

Emerging Talent sponsored by Moana New Zealand

Oliver Philip, Scarecrow

Lucy Wong-Kam, LittleWolf

Jorja Grogan, Bricklane

Abel Mok, saan

 

Outstanding Chef sponsored by Gilmours

Michael Meredith, Meredith's

Che Barrington, Woodpecker Hill

Kyle Street, Culprit

Mark Southon, O'Connell St Bistro

 

Outstanding Restaurateur sponsored by Pernod Ricard

Christopher Upton, O'Connell St Bistro

Melissa Morrow, Ponsonby Road Bistro

Chris Rupe, SPQR, Augusto Bistro

Krishna Botica, Cafe Hanoi, saan, Xuxu Dumpling Bar

 

Outstanding Hospitality Personality sponsored by Moët Hennessy

Mandy Lusk, Vivace

Al Brown, Depot

Ben Taylor, Revelry

Nicola Richards, Monsoon Poon