Tasmanian Hospitality Venues Shine on National Stage
Yesterday at the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) National gala event at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort on the Gold Coast, the winners of the 2018 AHA National Awards for Excellence were announced.
Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) CEO Steve Old congratulated all Tasmanian nominees and passed on a special acknowledgement to the four (4) Tasmanian venue winners on being the best in the country in their chosen category.
“The 2018 AHA National Awards for Excellence have once again recognised Tasmanian venues as being some of the best in the country”.
“With Hospitality being the third (3rd) largest employing industry in the state with around 10% of the workforce, it is vitally important to our state that we have a strong and vibrant industry” Mr Old said
“Tasmania did unbelievably well in all categories and feedback from the judges suggested that we were not far from winning many more awards on the night with several of our venues running a close second in their chosen categories”.
“I particularly would like to congratulate our three (3) winners on the night – Those being the Formby Hotel, Frogmore Creek and MACq 01 Hotel (Who took out 2 awards)” Mr Old said
“For Tasmania to claim to have the Best Regional Restaurant in the country for the second year running just goes to show the quality of food and operators we have in our state and it is great to see our venues get the acknowledgments that they so richly deserve. The judges were very impressed with the overall quality and presentation of the food at Frogmore Creek and the outstanding service.” Mr Old said.
“Congratulations must also go to The Formby Hotel in Devonport for taking out the Best Bistro Regional award ahead of many fine establishments around the country” Mr Old said
“Finally, a big congratulations to MACq 01 Hotel for taking out two prestigious awards on the day, those being Best Superior Accommodation and Overall Hotel of the Year – Accommodation Division.” Mr Old said
“It was a proud day to be involved in the Tasmanian Hospitality industry” Mr Old said.
Full Winners List
| AHA National Category | Restaurant / Individual Name | Company | Suburb | State | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Environment & Energy Efficiency Practice | Little National Hotel | Barton | ACT | 1 | |
| Best Bistro - Metropolitan | The Prince | Kirrawee | NSW | 10 | |
| Best Retail Liquor Outlet | Warners At The Bay | Warners Bay | |||
| Hotel Industry Rising Star | Amelia Benjamin | Hilton | Sydney | ||
| Best Deluxe Accommodation | Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley | Wolgan Valley | |||
| Best Outdoor/Non Enclosed Facility | Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel | Watsons Bay | |||
| Outstanding Community Service & Achievement | Settlers Inn | Port Macquarie | |||
| Best Hotel Bar - Accommodation Division | Champagne Bar | Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour | Darling Harbour | ||
| Chef of the Year | Nancy Kinchela | Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley | Wolgan Bay | ||
| Best Marketed Hotel - General Division | Rose of Australia | Erskinville | |||
| Overall Hotel of the Year - Regional | Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach | Austinmer Beach | |||
| Best Sporting Entertainment Venue | Beachfront Hotel | Darwin | NT | 3 |
|
| Best TAB Licensed Venue | SKYCITY Darwin | Darwin | |||
| Best Tourism Initiative | Curtin Springs | Alice Springs | |||
| Best Entertainment Venue | Eatons Hill Hotel | Eatons Hill | QLD | 6 | |
| Best Marketed Hotel - Accommodation Division | Rydges South Bank Brisbane | Brisbane | |||
| Front of House Employee of the Year - Accommodation Division | Ilse Maritz | The Johnson | Spring Hill | ||
| Best Meeting and Events Venue | Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas | Port Douglas | |||
| Best Redeveloped Hotel - Accommodation Division | Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas | Port Douglas | |||
| Front of House Employee of the Year - General Division | Nicholas Stanton-Cook | Toms Tavern | Aitkenvale | ||
| Best Bar Presentation & Service - Regional | Sporties Tavern, Port Pirie | Port Pirie | SA | 6 | |
| Best Gaming Venue - Metropolitan | Lakes Resort Hotel | West Lakes | |||
| Best Mid-Range Accommodation | Largs Pier Hotel | Largs Pier | |||
| Best Redeveloped Hotel - General Division | The Crafers Hotel | Crafers | |||
| Best Restaurant - Metropolitan | Apothecary | Adelaide | |||
| Overall Hotel of the Year - Metropolitan | The Crafers Hotel | Crafers | |||
| Best Bistro - Regional | Formby Hotel | Devonport | TAS | 4 | |
| Best Restaurant - Regional | Frogmore Creek | Cambridge | |||
| Overall Hotel of the Year - Accommodation Division | MACq 01 | Hobart | |||
| Best Superior Accommodation | MACq 01 Hotel | Hobart | |||
| Best Gaming Venue - Regional | Zagames Ballarat | Ballarat | VIC | 9 | |
| Front of House Employee of the Year - Accommodation Division | Ashleigh Macdonald | Crown Towers | Melbourne | ||
| Best Hotel Accommodation - General Division | Taylors Lakes Hotel | Taylors Lakes | |||
| Best Hotel Group Operator | Pegasus Leisure Group | ||||
| Best Keno Venue | The Middle Hotel | Melbourne | |||
| Chef of the Year | Ashly Hicks | Garden State Hotel | Melbourne | ||
| Employee Excellence in Service - Accommodation Division | Robin Power | Crowne Plaza | Melbourne | ||
| Best Bar Presentation & Service - Metropolitan | Garden State Hotel | Melbourne | |||
| Outstanding Achievement in Training | Grand Hyatt | Melbourne | |||
| Best Restaurant - Accommodation | Nobu | Crown Perth | Perth | WA | 3 |
| Best Suite / Apartment Hotel | Fraser Suites Perth | Perth | |||
| Employee Excellence in Service - General Division | Katie Chan | Long Chim at the State Buildings | Perth |
THA CEO Steve Old is available for comment on 0418 363 566
