Celebrating Hospitality Excellence
The vibrancy and variety of the Bay of Plenty’s Hospitality scene were never more evident than at the BOP Hospitality Awards held in August. Mills Reef’s barrel room was full of glitz and glitter as the people who deliver the cream of the Bay’s hospitality were served a superb dinner while they celebrated their own wins and cheered those of others.
Wine writer and broadcaster Yvonne Lorkin hilariously emceed the evening, keeping the award presentations punchy and interesting.
The winner of Best Chef, Ian Harrison from Clarence Bistro, summed it up for the entire industry in a very inclusive speech stressing the importance of consistency in service and food delivery, in ensuring that the regular customers (“the ones who pay our wages”) are always given the best reasons to keep returning.
The awards demonstrated that the Bay’s hospitality scene is coming of age and that as an industry they are determined the region be recognised as a top foodie destination.
Mills Reef Winery People’s Choice
Real Rad Food
Meadow Fresh Outstanding Barista
Sam Graham, Luca Café
Asahi Premium Beverages Outstanding Bartender
Katie Short, The Barrio Brothers Mount Maunganui
Hospitality Management Systems Outstanding Front of House Team
The Barrio Brothers Tauranga
Bidfood Tauranga Outstanding Chef
Ian Harrison, Clarence Bistro
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology Emerging Chef
Joe Noon, Fish Face
Eftpos NZ Outstanding New Venue
Izakai Bar and Eatery
Nourish Magazine Outstanding Café
The General
Monin NZ Outstanding Cocktail Experience
RYE Bar & Grill
Lion NZ Outstanding Bar
The Rising Tide
Bidfood Tauranga Outstanding Casual Dining/Street Food
Johney’s Dumpling House
OneMusic Outstanding Ambience & Design
Clarence Bistro
Nova Energy Outstanding Suburban/Regional Experience
Flatwhite Waihi Beach
Service Foods Outstanding Restaurant
Clarence Bistro
The Recruitment Network Outstanding Caterer
Handcrafted Food
Nib Health Insurance Outstanding Sales Rep
Robbie Moore, Bidfood Tauranga
