What's the best burger in Canberra? How about the best steak? And while we're at it, where's the best cocktail bar?
These questions - and more - were answered on Monday night when the Australian Hotels Association (ACT branch) hosted the annual Hospitality and Tourism Awards at the National Arboretum. (For the record, Grease Monkey won the Best Burger award, Capitol Bar & Grill took out Best Steak and Bar Beirut took out Best Cocktail, Lounge or Small Bar, while its owner Soumi Tannous took out Bartender of the Year.)
The award's judging process lasted for months, with judges sifting through more than 150 nominations across the various categories. And 450 people from Canberra's hospitality and tourism industry turned out to hear the results.
"These winners represent the most outstanding product, venues, service and personnel the local hospitality and tourism industry has to offer," Australian Hotels Association ACT general manager Anthony Brierley said.
"This gala dinner and awards night was a celebration of this industry's perseverance and its dogged resilience. Twelve months ago, businesses in our industry were closed and staff were stood down. We survived, and we have bounced back."
"More than any certificate the Australian Hotels Association could provide, the industry's survival through the past twelve months is testament to the excellence of its places, products and people."
The full list of winners
- Employee Excellence in Service - Lachlan Hoyle (Midnight Hotel)
- Best Human Resources Talent - Lynda Bailey (Mercure Canberra Belconnen)
- Housekeeper of the Year - Emma Searle (QT Canberra)
- Best Sales & Marketing Talent - Natalie Graham (QT Canberra)
- Best Family Friendly Venue - Agostinis
- Best Work Health & Safety Venue - Bentspoke Brewing Co
- Excellence in Innovation, Sustainability & Environmental Practice - Little National Hotel
- Best Wagering Venue - Page Tavern
- Best Conference & Functions Venue - Hotel Realm
- Bartender of the Year - Soumi Tannous (Bar Beirut)
- Best Late-Night Entertainment Venue - Hopscotch
- Best Steak - Capitol Bar & Grill
- Best Sporting Entertainment Venue -The Dock
- Best Traditional Pub, Inn or Tavern - The Old Canberra Inn
- Best New or Redeveloped Venue - The Alby
- Apartment/Suite Hotel of the Year - East Hotel
- Best Restaurant (Accommodation) - Buvette
- Best Restaurant (General) - Pomegranate
- Best Wine List - Rizla
- Best Draught Beer Quality (joint winners) - The Alby, and Bentspoke Brewing Co
- Chef of the Year - Samuel McCarthy (Walt & Burley)
- Best Cocktail, Lounge or Small Bar - Bar Beirut
- Best Burger - Grease Monkey
- Mid-Range Hotel of the Year - Mercure Canberra Belconnen
- Superior Hotel of the Year - East Hotel
- Deluxe Hotel of the Year - Jamala Wildlife Lodge
- Best Casual Dining Venue (joint winners) - Molto, and Amici Wine Bar & Deli
- Best Pub Eatery - Edgar's Inn
- Best Bar (Presentation & Service) - Molly
- Accommodation Member of the Year - Justin Higgins, Hotel Realm
- John Press Award - Jane Collins, The Dock
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