Local hospitality venues are being recognised for their achievements across 40 different categories as part of the Australian Hotels Association (Vic) State Awards for Excellence.
The evening was a celebration not only of the success of the winners and finalists, but also the spirit shown by the industry over the past three years.
Beaconsfield’s The Central Hotel won the title of Best Marketed Hotel, taking the win from Beaconsfield’s Cardinia Park Hotel and three other finalists.
The battle continued with Cardinia Park Hotel’s Jarrod Price and The Central Hotel Caleb Mannering vying to be named Emerging Leader of the Year and Peter Burnett AM Scholarship for Hotel Excellence, but it was Josh Crosisca of the Terminus Hotel in Fitzroy North who took home the prize.
The Hampton Park Tavern was a finalist for the Best Gaming Venue with 51 machines or more, however Rosstown Hotel in Carnegie and Melbourne’s Welcome Stranger Hotel both took the title home.
Also a finalist for Best Redeveloped Gaming Hotel, The Hampton Park Tavern missed out on the win to Shoppingtown Hotel in Doncaster.
The Drouin Family Hotel was a finalist for the Best Pubtab award in a regional area but lost to the Grand Junction Hotel in Traralgon.
The Drouin Family Hotel was also a finalist for Best Family Dining, along with Berwick Springs Hotel in Berwick but the Halls Gap Hotel was victorious.
The hotly contested People’s Choice Award saw more than 100 pubs entered and voted for by the general public.
The fan-favourite was a regional staple within the South Gippsland community, The Middle Hotel, Korrumburra.
The award ceremony took place on Monday 16 May at the Crown Palladium.
AHA (Vic) chief executive officer Paddy O’Sullivan said the excitement was palpable.
“The AHA (Vic) State Awards for Excellence celebrates the achievements of Victoria’s pubs and hotels as we acknowledge excellence in hospitality service and delivery,“ he said.
“We also pay tribute to the contributions of staff working in pubs and hotels to ensure the success of our industry.”
AHA (Vic) general manager Mike Barouche said TABCORP was once again a key contributor to the success of the evening.
“We appreciate their ongoing support, and the significant value of each and every partnership in continuing to make this event one of a kind,“ Mr Barouche said.
“Quite simply, the awards do not happen without the support of our partners.”
