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