The winners of Christchurch’s Hospitality Awards have been announced. The awards honour Christchurch’s diverse dining scene and the people involved.
Inati, known for its immersive dining experience, came up with, winning outstanding restaurant as well as Simon Levy, head chef, taking out the outstanding chef award.
Popular fried-chicken food truck Empire Chicken made their Kickstarter donators proud by winning outstanding pop-up establishment and supreme breakthrough talent awards. In May of last year, backers pledged around $15,000 to help get Empire Chicken underway.
Highlighting the diversity of Christchurch’s food scene, Smokey T’s, another food truck, won the people’s choice award.
For the third year, O.G.B, Christchurch’s famed speakeasy-style bar was named outstanding bar, with emerging front of house talent going to their duty manager Grace Irving.
“New Zealand’s garden city has blossomed in the last couple of years with new bars, restaurants and pop-up dining concepts opening regularly,” said Marisa Bidois, CEO Restaurant Association of New Zealand. “The hospitality industry is playing a vital role in re-creating the city. These people are committed to attracting people back into the central city and getting Christchurch recognised as a world-class food destination.”
A full list of winners can be found below.
Mediaworks Canterbury Outstanding Barista
Jeremy Green, Unknown Chapter
Jameson Outstanding Bartender
Zac Goy, Vesuvio
Antipodes Outstanding Maitre’d
Wynn Kerstens, 5th Street
Service Foods Outstanding Chef
Simon Levy, INATI
Trents Wholesale Supreme Crew Member of the Year
Jeremey Green, Unknown Chapter
Ara Institute of Technology Emerging FOH
Grace Irving, O.G.B
Southern Hospitality Emerging Chef
Vanessa Bennie, The Craft Embassy
Burns & Ferrall Outstanding Pop Up Establishment
Empire Chicken
Champagne Laurent-Perrier Outstanding New Venue
Earl
Trents Wholesale Supreme Breakthrough Talent of the Year
Empire Chicken
Hellers Outstanding Café
Little Pom’s
Asahi Beverages Outstanding Bar
O.G.B
OneMusic Outstanding Ambience & Design
5th Street
Kono Wines Ethnic/Casual Dining
Kinji Japanese Restaurant
Crombie Lockwood Outstanding Central City Establishment
Twenty Seven Steps
Nova Energy Outstanding Suburban/Regional Establishment
Pegasus Bay
Burns & Ferrall Outstanding Restaurant
INATI
Trents Wholesale Supreme Establishment of the Year
5th Street
Eaton Drink Co. Outstanding Sales Rep
Paul Bett, Asahi Beverages
NZI Outstanding Supplier
Peter Timbs Meats
McCarthy Outstanding Caterer
The Bespoke Chef
Trents Wholesale Supreme Supplier of the Year
Peter Timbs Meats
Isaac Theatre Royal Outstanding People’s Choice
Smokey T’s
Restaurant Association of NZ Hall of Fame
Sam Crofskey, C1 Espresso
Restaurant Association of NZ Good Neighbour
Street Wise
