Capitol nominated for three awards
The finalists have been announced in the Wellington Hospitality awards and Wellingtonians are being invited to vote for their favourite place to dine out.
The finalists represent the top-notch dining establishments in the Capital as voted by the hospitality industry.
Famed for its seasonal menu grounded in classical Italian style, family run restaurant Capitol has been nominated in three categories including outstanding restaurant, Patrick Ferrier is recognised in the Maitre’d category while Tom Hutchison is nominated for a second year in the outstanding chef category.
Newcomer Rita which took home the 2018 award for outstanding new establishment, this year becomes a finalist in the outstanding restaurant award.
Iconic Boulcott Street Bistro also received a nod for outstanding front of house team.
Great cafes are not lacking in the region with Café Polo, Lashings and Prefab Eatery all receiving nominations in the category of outstanding cafe.
Those looking for a place to get a great drink also won’t be disappointed with the region’s assortment of top-notch bars recognised.
Crumpet Bar, Hanging Ditch and Hawthorn Lounge all receive nominations for the title of outstanding cocktail experience while Glass, Puffin and Noble Rot Wine Bar are all recognised in the category of best wine experience.
Nominations for the outstanding beer experience go to Fortune Favours, Little Beer Quarter and Parrotdog.
Newcomers Birdcage, Highwater Eatery and Los Banditos are all nominated for the region’s best new establishment.
Recognition has also been given to the best and brightest of the hospitality community making a difference to the dining scene in the region.
Josh Pointon of Noble Rot Wine Bar, Lindsay Coral Phillips of Bambuchi and Sarah Meikle of the Wellington Culinary Events Trust have all been nominated in the category of Outstanding Hospitality Professional.
The Wellington general public are also able to vote for their favourite establishment in the People’s Choice Award category.
21 awards will be given to the best of the Wellington hospitality industry. From crew members, to suppliers, to establishments – the best of the best will be celebrated for their contribution to creating a world-class hospitality scene in Wellington.
CEO Marisa Bidois says, “Wellington has a vibrant and world leading hospitality scene which deserves to be recognised. Our goal is to recognise those providing an exceptional experience to Wellingtonians and connect them to one another and the local dining community.”
Voting is open until Sunday, 20th October and the winners will be revealed at the awards evening on Sunday, 27th October.
Tickets to the event are on sale now, to purchase or for more information regarding the awards please visit https://hospitalityawards.co.nz/wellington. Stay connected with key updates and announcements on our Facebook page @felixwellingtonhospitalityawards and Instagram @felixawards.
The Wellington Hospitality Awards Finalists 2019
L’affare Outstanding Barista of the Year
Hohepa Reedy – Café Polo
Nik O’Connell – Staple Espresso
Tait Burge – Swimsuit
Chivas Regal Outstanding Bartender of the Year
Alex Vowles – Hawthorn Lounge
Dan Felsing – Crumpet Bar
Benji Irvine – Hanging Ditch
Max Roberts Bristow – Poquito Bar
Antipodes Emerging Front of House
Angela Montenegro – Lashings
Jessica Wood – Noble Rot Wine Bar
Mackenzie Edwards – CGR Merchant & Co
Helping Hands Outstanding Front of House Team of the Year
Boulcott Street Bistro
Ortega Fish Shack & Bar
Shepherd
Moet Hennessy Outstanding Maitre’d of the Year
Davey McDonald – Ortega Fish Shack & Bar
Patrick Ferrier – Capitol Restaurant
Sophie Garnham – Monsoon Poon
Le Cordon Bleu Emerging Chef
Ben Chamberlain – Atlas
Elton Song – Hiakai
Nikita Kuschke – Hillside Kitchen & Cellar
Gilmours Outstanding Chef of the Year
Laura Greenfield – Field & Green
Monique Fiso – Hiakai
Tom Hutchison – Capitol Restaurant
Southern Hospitality Outstanding Café of the Year
Café Polo
Lashings
Prefab Eatery
Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding Beer Experience of the Year
Fortune Favours
Little Beer Quarter
Parrotdog
Monin NZ Outstanding Cocktail Experience of the Year
Crumpet Bar
Hanging Ditch
Hawthorn Lounge
Negociants Outstanding Wine Experience of the Year
Glass
Noble Rot Wine Bar
Puffin
Service Foods Outstanding Casual Dining/Street Food Experience of the Year
A Taste of Home
Mr Go’s
Soul Shack Hot Chicken
OneMusic Outstanding Ambience & Design of the Year
Highwater Eatery
Night Flower
Puffin
BCE Catering Equipment Outstanding New Establishment of the Year
Birdcage
Highwater Eatery
Los Banditos
Nova Energy Outstanding Suburban/Regional Experience of the Year
Beach House & Kiosk
Comes & Goes
Salty Pidgin
Champagne Laurent-Perrier Outstanding Restaurant of the Year
Capitol Restaurant
Hiakai
Rita
Harbourside Function Venue Outstanding Sales Rep of the Year
Richard Klein – Artigiano Imports
Jamie Andrew Lawton-McKenzie – Hop and Vine
Oliver Kettle – Vintners
Crombie Lockwood Insurance Brokers Outstanding Supplier of the Year
Capital Produce
Mineral Wines
Moore Wilson’s
The Recruitment Network Outstanding Caterer of the Year
Ruth Pretty Catering
Sarah Searancke Catering
The Catering Studio
Villa Maria Outstanding Hospitality Professional
Josh Pointon – Noble Rot Wine Bar
Lindsay Coral Phillips – BambuchiSarah
Meikle – Wellington Culinary Events Trust