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Top dining establishments in the Southern Lakes revealed

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2023 Southern Lakes Hospitality Awards

Jervois Steak House nominated for four awards

The finalists have been announced in the Southern Lakes Hospitality awards and now we are also calling on locals to vote for their favourite place in the People’s Choice Award. 19 awards will be given to the best of the region’s 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 the Queenstown and Southern Lakes area.

The finalists represent the top-notch people and establishments in the city as voted by the hospitality industry.

Leading the pack in number of nominations is Queenstown restaurant Jervois Steak House nominated for four awards including outstanding restaurant. While also up for outstanding restaurant is Ben Bayly’s restaurant, Aosta. The restaurant is nominated in the category of outstanding restaurant, and best regional establishment.

Aosta and Jervois Steak House will be going up against Oro Restaurant and Sherwood Queenstown who are also nominated for the outstanding restaurant award.

Oro’s chefs, Yann Robert and Beata Balogh, have both also been recognised in the categories for best chef and best emerging chef respectively.

Robert has esteemed competition from Sam Gruar of La Rumbla; Koji Kiminami of Tanoshi and Ben Norfolk of The Bunker all up for the outstanding chef accolade.

We know that great cafes are not lacking in the region, with 11th Avenue by Frank’s, Bespoke Kitchen, Odd Saint, The Boat Shed Cafe & Bistro all finalists in the category of outstanding cafe, and Bardeaux, Ferg’s Bar, Little Blackwood and Little Mez are all contenders for the title of best bar.

Francesca’s Mobile Pizza, Margo’s Queenstown, Ramen Ramen by Tanoshi and Taco Medic are all nominated for outstanding street food/casual dining.

The Southern Lakes general public are also able to vote for their favourite establishment in the People’s Choice Award category – so local venues should let your customers know!

Queenstown is now a destination dining experience offering exceptional experiences in some of the world’s most stunning settings. From quick and easy street eats, to luxury winery restaurant experiences, Queenstown has it all. With all categories keenly contested, this year’s winners truly exemplify what it means to be at the top of their respective categories.

Voting closes on Sunday, 23 April 5.00pm and winners will then be announced at the awards evening on Monday, 7 May at Walter Peak in Queenstown.

Tickets to the event are on sale now, to purchase or for more information regarding the awards please visit For more information regarding the awards please visit https://hospitalityawards.co.nz/southernlakes, Facebook @qthospitalityawards or Instagram @southernlakesawards/


The Southern Lakes Hospitality Awards Finalists 2023

DineFind Outstanding Barista

Lauren Peters, Beach St Cafe

Michaela Jandackova, Kamana Lakehouse

Liam Wright, The Boat Shed Cafe & Bistro

Alex Tong, Wolf Coffee Roasters

Hospo Start Outstanding Bartender

Shaun White, Eichardt’s Bar

Kate Marshall, Jervois Steak House Queenstown

Liam Cabourn, Little Blackwood

Stuart Campbell, Little Mez

Antipodes Outstanding Front of House Team

Botswana Butchery

Jervois Steak House Queenstown

Margo’s Queenstown

Tanoshi Cow Lane

Mt Cook Alpline Salmon Emerging Chef

Beata Balogh,  Oro Restaurant

Bella Maroszek, The Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa

Brandon Ferrari, Flame Bar & Grill

Callum Plank, The Bunker

Ritu Sharma, Kamana Lakehouse

Hospo Start Emerging Front of House

Brooke Owens, Slow Cuts

Ratchadaporn Tongjan, Thai Siam Kitchen

Jacob Bull, The Grille by Eichardt’s

Samaria Spyker, Vudu Cafe & Larder

Anchor Food Professional Outstanding Chef

Yann Robert, Oro Restaurant

Sam Gruar, La Rumbla

Koji Kiminami, Tanoshi

Ben Norfolk , The Bunker

DineFind Outstanding Street Food/Casual Dining

Francesca’s Mobile Pizza

Margo’s Queenstown

Ramen Ramen by Tanoshi

Taco Medic

Bidfood Outstanding Café

11th Avenue by Frank’s

Bespoke Kitchen

Odd Saint

The Boat Shed Cafe & Bistro

Southern Hospitality Outstanding Bar

Bardeaux

Ferg’s Bar

Little Blackwood

Little Mez

Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding Wine & Beverage List

Botswana Butchery

Eichardt’s Bar

Jervois Steak House Queenstown

The Bunker

Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding Winery Restaurant

Gibbston Valley

Kinross

Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen

Amisfield

OneMusic Outstanding Ambience & Design

Ferg’s Bar

Hyde Liquor and Social

Tanoshi Five Mile

Yonder

Bunnings Trade Outstanding Regional Establishment

Amisfield

Aosta

Bannockburn Hotel

The Dishery

Lumina Lamb Outstanding Restaurant

Aosta

Jervois Steak House Queenstown

Oro Restaurant

Sherwood Queenstown

Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding Sales Rep

Ross Mander, Canyon Brewing

Theo Arndt, Cardrona Distillery

Karen Bisacre, Pernod Ricard

Devan Tyler, Wolf Coffee Roasters

Real NZ Outstanding Supplier

Bidfood

Crisp NZ 

Harbour Fish

Pernod Ricard

Wolf Coffee Roasters

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