The finalists have been announced in the Wellington Hospitality awards.
The finalists represent the top-notch dining establishments in the capital as voted by our hospitality industry.
The award winning seafood restaurant Ortega is famed for its attention to detail in service and is appropriately nominated for best front of house team and outstanding Maitre D for co-owner Davey McDonald. It picks up a third nomination for its wine list.
Cosy restaurant Rita which took home the 2018 award for outstanding new establishment, this year becomes a finalist in the outstanding restaurant award alongside Capitol, Field & Green and Highwater Eatery.
The best chefs in the city have been recognised with Isaac Chamberlain of Atlas; Matt Hawkes of Bar Mason; Laura Greenfield of Field & Green and Shepherd Elliot, Shepherd all up for the Outstanding Chef category.
Great cafes are not lacking in the region with Floriditas, Olive, Prefab Eatery and Squirrel all finalists 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.
Havana Bar, Lulu, Night Flower and The Library are all contenders for the title of outstanding cocktail experience while Atlas, Noble Rot Wine Bar, Puffin Wine Bar, Hippopotamus Restaurant & Cocktail Bar are all recognised in the category of best wine experience.
Newcomers Atlas, Birdcage, Highwater Eatery and Bar Masonare all finalists for the region’s best new establishment.
Recognition is also been given to the demonstration of resilience and creativity during 2020 which has been undeniably tough for the industry.
This year the Restaurant Association has introduced three new categories for Outstanding Community Spirit, Outstanding Innovation and Outstanding Local Hospo Hero in recognition for the people and businesses that have stepped up and showed steely determination as we navigated our way through COVID-19.
The Wellington general public are also able to vote for their favourite establishment in the People’s Choice Award category.
24 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.
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.
The introduction of our three resilience awards are a great opportunity to shine a light on some of the people and businesses that have stepped up as we’ve navigated our way through Covid-19.
Voting is open until Sunday, 25 October at 5.00pm and the winners will be revealed on Sunday, 1 November at Te Papa Tongarewa.
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 2020
L’affare Outstanding Barista
Madison Veitch, Customs Coffee Supreme
Lucy-Margaux Marinkovich, Tomboy
Tait Burge, Swimsuit Coffee
Yim Teng Lister, Swimsuit Coffee
Pernod Ricard Outstanding Bartender
Charlie Holyoke, C G R Merchant & Co
Devan Nesbitt, Hawthorn Lounge
Renwick Boon, Night Flower
Kerry Burgess, Yakisoda
posBoss Outstanding Front of House Team
Capitol
Cicio Cacio
Ortega Fish Shack
Shepherd
American Express Outstanding Maitre D’
Fergus Trengrove, Boulcott St Bistro
Davey McDonald, Ortega Fish Shack & Bar
Paul Schrader, Rita
Chelsea Godinet, Shepherd
Southern Hospitality Emerging Chef
Patrick Willis, Capitol
Taylor Annals, Egmont Street Eatery
Rebecca Marsh, Lulu
Juan Cabrera, Salty Pidgin
Gilmours Outstanding Chef
Isaac Chamberlain, Atlas
Matt Hawkes, Bar Mason
Laura Greenfield, Field & Green
Shepherd Elliot, Shepherd
Service Foods Outstanding Street Food/Casual Dining
Gorilla Burger
Greek Food Truck
Soul Shack Chicken
Taste of Home
Meadow Fresh Outstanding Café
Floriditas
Olive
Prefab Eatery
Squirrel
Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding Beer Experience
Fork & Brewer
The Malthouse
Parrotdog Brewery
The Rogue & Vagabond
The Wine Writer Outstanding Wine & Beverage List
Cicio Cacio
Noble Rot Wine Bar
Ortega Fish Shack
Logan Brown
Negociants Outstanding Wine Experience
Atlas
Noble Rot Wine Bar
Puffin Wine Bar
Hippopotamus Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
The National Distillery Company Outstanding Cocktail Experience
Crumpet
Hanging Ditch
Hawthorn Lounge
Poquito
Coca Cola Amatil Outstanding Bar
Havana Bar
Lulu
Night Flower
The Library
RIP Global Outstanding New Establishment
Atlas
Birdcage
Highwater Eatery
Bar Mason
Nova Energy Outstanding Regional Establishment
50-50
Long Beach Café & Tavern
Seashore Cabaret
The Botanist
OneMusic Outstanding Ambience & Design
Dragonfly
Loretta
Master Kong
Puffin Wine Bar
Eftpos NZ Outstanding Ethnic Cuisine
Little Penang
Rasa
Taste of India
Viva Mexico
Red & White Cellar Outstanding Restaurant
Capitol
Field & Green
Highwater Eatery
Rita
Te Papa Outstanding Sales Rep
Dev Patel, Capital Produce
Stefan Pearce, Parrotdog Brewery
Casey Belsham, Pernod Ricard
Ollie Kettle, Vintners
Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding Supplier
Gilmours
Hancocks
Moore Wilson’s
Shoots Microgreens
Moore Wilson’s Outstanding Caterer
Food Envy
Ruth Pretty Catering
Sarah Searancke Catering
The Catering Studio
Menulog Outstanding Hospitality Professional
Justin McKenzie, C G R Merchant & Co/Cuckoo Emporium/Hawthorn Lounge
Peter Lowry, Chow/The Library
Jamie Williams, Kāpura
Sean Golding, Golding’s Free Dive