Wellington has announced the winners of its Felix Wellington Hospitality Awards. These awards look to honour and recognise the hard work that goes into Wellington’s diverse dining scene.
Monique Fiso performed outstandingly this year, winning the outstanding chef category, as well as winning an award for her restaurant Hiakai in the outstanding restaurant category. Hiakai’s Elton Song won the emerging chef award, too. Hiakai is known for pushing the boundaries of Māori cuisine.
The people of Wellington spoke, as well, and they spoke of fried chicken. Souls Shack Hot Chicken won the People’s Choice Award for their offering.
Service remains a critical part of service, and there was no shortage of service-based awards given out. Jessica Wood of Noble Rot won the award for emerging front of house professional, while Josh Pointed, also of Noble Rot won the award for outstanding hospitality professional. Ortega Fish Shack and Bar picked up the award for outstanding front of house team, overall.
Cafés and bars were not left out either, with Prefab Eatery winning the award for outstanding café, and Crumpet Bar winning outstanding cocktail experience. Matt Robers of Bristow Poquito Bar took out the award for outstanding bartender.
“Wellington has a vibrant and world-leading hospitality scene which deserves to be recognised,” said Marisa Bidois, Restaurant Association CEO. “Our goal is to recognise those providing an exceptional experience to Wellingtonians and connect them to one another and the local dining community.”
A full list of winners can be found below:
- Chivas Regal Outstanding Bartender:
Max Roberts Bristow, Poquito Bar - Antipodes Emerging Front of House:
Jessica Wood, Noble Rot Wine Bar - Helping Hands Outstanding Front of House Team:
Ortega Fish Shack & Bar - Moet Hennessy Outstanding Maitre d:
Sophie Garnham, Monsoon Poon - Le Cordon Bleu Emerging Chef:
Elton Song, Hiakai - Gilmours Outstanding Chef:
Monique Fiso, Hiakai - Southern Hospitality Outstanding Café:
Prefab Eatery - Black Dog Brewery Outstanding Beer Experience:
Fortune Favours - Negociants Outstanding Wine Experience:
Noble Rot Wine Bar - Monin NZ Outstanding Cocktail Experience:
Crumpet Bar - Service Foods Outstanding Casual Dining/Street Food Experience:
A Taste of Home - OneMusic Outstanding Ambience & Design:
Night Flower - Nova Energy Outstanding Suburban/Regional Experience:
Salty Pidgin - BCE Catering Equipment Outstanding New Establishment:
Highwater Eatery - Champagne Laurent-Perrier Outstanding Restaurant:
Hiakai - The Recruitment Network Outstanding Caterer:
Ruth Pretty Catering - Harbourside Function Venue Outstanding Sales Rep:
Jamie Andrew Lawton, Hop and Vine - Crombie Lockwood Insurance Brokers Outstanding Supplier:
Moore Wilson’s - Villa Maria Outstanding Hospitality Professional:
Josh Pointon, Noble Rot Wine Bar - Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding People’s Choice:
Soul Shack Hot Chicken
