The Restaurant Association of New Zealand has this year established the Otago Hospitality Awards to celebrate the industry from Dunedin through to Central Otago. (The Southern Lakes District already have hospitality awards.)
Association chief executive Marisa Bidois says the association has been working to grow its regional hospitality awards for the past five years as part of its goal to celebrate and highlight excellence in the industry across the whole country.
"Otago has been part of the plan for the last three years, but unfortunately Covid restrictions meant that the event could not go ahead. We are excited to launch the Otago awards in 2022, which moving forward will be held biennially."
It is imperative the hospitality industry recognises its champions as it provides not only a peer benchmark for excellence, but also serves to give people valuable guidelines on the best places to visit, she says.
Industry members can nominate their colleagues in 15 categories including best chefs, baristas and bartenders, front of house, cafe, bar, restaurant and more.
"Within the hospitality community the awards bring a sense of pride and achievement. As the awards are peer-to-peer nominated it is about celebrating our industry from within and lifting up those who work hard every day to be the best at what they do.
"The awards event is also a night for the industry to get together and connect, network and pat each other on the back."
There has been "overwhelming support" for the awards from the Otago hospitality community and there has been a good response to the call for nominations.
"And [they] show a broad representation of the hospitality talent that is on offer in Otago."
While the awards are only held at a regional level, national awards are being developed by the association.
Nominations for the Otago awards are open to July 17. Final voting begins on July 26 and winners are announced on August 22 at The Regent Theatre, Dunedin.
