Armidale’s Tattersalls Hotel has taken home the lion’s share of accolades at this year’s AHA NSW Awards For Excellence – including the top title of Regional Hotel of the Year.
The Tattersalls Hotel team accepted the award before an audience of more than 1,200 industry peers and community leaders.
The prestigious event was held for the first time at the WINX Stand at Royal Randwick Racecourse, it celebrated hospitality excellence across 46 categories.
In addition to the main regional title, Tattersalls Hotel also won Individual Hotel Operator of the Year, Best Restaurant and Best Steak Sandwich.
Regional pubs took home silverware in a range of categories including crowd favourite -the People’s Choice Award – won by Bogan Gate Pub.
Regional Chef of the Year went to Crown Hotel Grafton’s Damien Duggan, while Best Regional Local was won by Hotel Gosford.
Best Live Music Venue was awarded to joint winners Drifter’s Wharf at Gosford and the Tourist Hotel, Queanbeyan, while the White Cliffs Hotel was named Best Bush Pub.
The Entrance Social Club took top honours for Best Regional Re-development and Tea Gardens Hotel won Best Traditional Pub Accommodation (under $130).
In the hotly contested food categories, regional pubs made their mark winning five of the top awards. Elanora Hotel, East Gosford won Best Steak, Country Club Hotel Tooleybuc took out Best Parmi, Fernhill Tavern Port Macquarie won Best Cheap Eat Meal (under $15) and The Prince of Merewether took the coveted title for Best Burger for the second year running.
Shortland Hotel was also among the regional winners taking the award for Best Draught Beer Quality while Tacking Point Tavern at Port Macquarie won Best Retail Liquor Outlet.
Regional hospitality staff also shone brightly at this year’s awards taking home the Industry Rising Star Award which went to the Headlands Hotel’s Tahlia Grant and Employee Excellence in Service was awarded to Camden Valley Inn’s Kayleigh Barnes.
Warilla Hotel took the gong for Best Sporting Entertainment, while Public House Albury won Best Marketing Activity.
Winners for Best Regional Casual Dining included Hotel Gosford (Northern) Central Hotel Shellharbour (Southern) and Imperial Hotel Coonabarabran (Western).
“The AHA NSW Awards for Excellence is a chance to come together and recognize the best in the business from outstanding operators to exceptional food and beverage offerings, accommodation, design and community engagement,” AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said.
“This year, the calibre of our finalists and winners has yet again proven the hospitality offering across NSW is nothing short of world-class.”
A full list of winners at this year’s AHA NSW Awards for Excellence can be found at www.ahaawardsnsw.com.au
For images or comments please contact Nikki Taylor on 0447 956 170 or by email at [email protected]
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