About 1500 votes came in from hospitality industry representatives in the two and a-half weeks leading up to the announcement by association chief executive Steve Mackenzie, of Auckland, in Queenstown bar Barmuda.
Mr Mackenzie told the Queenstown Times "peers recognising peers" made the awards special and followed similar long-established awards launched by the association elsewhere in the country.
The calibre of the Southern Lakes finalists was "outstanding", he said.
"These guys spend 12 months of the year looking after people, sacrificing their personal time. Now's the chance to recognise the great things they do," Mr Mackenzie said.
A total of 50 finalists were shortlisted in 12 categories across all disciplines in hospitality, including outstanding bartender, waiter, chef, bar, restaurant and hospitality personality.
While Wanaka was represented in the outstanding chef finalists, Wakatipu eateries, cafes, restaurants and wineries dominated the fields.
Finalists knew before the announcement they had been selected and accepted their certificate with a difference - their distinction on a wine bottle label - but they did not know who they were up against until the Barmuda presentation.
Hospitality industry members, not the public, will be asked to vote online for one of the four or five finalists in each category.
The person or establishment which receives the most votes in their category will be announced the winner.
Voting opened this week and ends on September 2, at noon.
The ticketed awards ceremony will be held at the Queenstown Memorial Hall, followed by an industry after-party at Revolver on September 12.
