After several years juggling restriction conditions, the best of WA gathered uninhibited this week to celebrate the winners of the 2022 AHA-Aon Hospitality Awards for Excellence.
A record 1,200-strong crowd attended Crown Perth to acknowledge the offerings found across Perth and wider Western Australia, as the state embraces its rebuild.
“This is the first time in three years we can celebrate WA’s hospitality venues and their dedicated staff, with the pandemic firmly in the rear-view mirror,” said AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods.
There was particular focus given to the “dedication of the extraordinary staff” that drive venues’ success in a sector heavily reliant on people.
“In a sign of the industry’s strength, there are now over 105,000 people working in WA’s hospitality industry, nearly 10 per cent more than we had leading into the pandemic,” noted Woods.
Amongst a stellar crowd, the stand-out winner on the night was The Beaufort – Perth’s newest modern inner-city hospitality precinct, in the heart of Beaufort, featuring an array of modern beer gardens and outdoor terraces, as well as modern Asian restaurant Lotus, and hidden speakeasy-style cocktail bar and live music venue Cypher.
Atop the award for best New Venue, The Beaufort took home the Lion Bar Presentation and Service Award, shared the Restaurant Award with Fleur – The Royal, and nabbed major prize Perth’s Best Hospitality Venue.
More images of the night on the AHA WA Facebook page HERE.
FULL LIST OF 2022 WINNERS
GENERAL AWARDS
Community Service Award: National Hotel, Fremantle
Highly commended: Froth Craft Brewery, Exmouth
Training Initiative Award: Il Lido Italian Canteen, Cottesloe
Retail Bottleshop Award: Treendale Farm Hotel, Australind
Aon Responsible Service of Alcohol Award: Crown Perth
Draught Beer Quality Award: Subiaco Hotel
The Lion Bar Presentation and Service Award: The Beaufort, Highgate
Small Bar Award: Caballitos, Perth
Cocktail Bar Award: Long Chim – State Buildings, Perth
Late Night Venue Award: Universal Bar Perth
Tourism Initiative Award: Finlay’s Kalbarri
Conference and Functions Award: Optus Stadium, Burswood
Outdoor Area Award: Gage Roads Brewery Co., Fremantle
Boutique Brewery Award: Bailey Brewing Co., Henley Brook
Redeveloped Venue Award: Commercial Bar + Kitchen, Midland
New Venue Award: The Beaufort, Highgate
Social Media Activity Award: Varsity Group Australia
DINING AWARDS
WA’s Best Steak Sandwich Competition: The Last Local, Canning Vale
Contemporary Bar Menu Award: Sweetwater, East Fremantle
Casual Pub Dining Award – Metropolitan: Rose & Crown Hotel Guildford
Casual Pub Dining Award – Regional: Hybla Tavern, Middleton Beach
Family Dining Award: Treendale Farm Hotel, Australind
Highly commended: Pasta in the Valley, Caversham
Restaurant Award (Joint winners): Fleur – The Royal, Perth & Lotus – The Beaufort, Highgate
Superior Restaurant Award: Wildflower – State Buildings, Perth
Wine List Award: Il Lido Italian Canteen, Cottesloe
ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS
TAB Hotel/PubTAB Venue Award: The Brook Bar & Bistro, Ellenbrook
Sporting Entertainment Venue Award: Last Slice Sports Bar, Bunbury
Live Entertainment Venue Award: The Boat – Marina Mindarie
Highly commended: Whalebone Brewing Company, Exmouth
Themed Venue Award: Flight Club – Capitol Corp, East Perth
EMPLOYEE AWARDS
Rising Star Award: Tom Warner, Mayfair Lane Pub & Dining Room
Cookery Services Employee Award: Dylan Jewels-Angwin, Bull Creek Tavern
Head Chef Award: Shane Middleton, Fleur – The Royal Perth
Highly commended: Charles Vargas, Toma – Pirate Life Perth
Food and Beverage Services Employee Award: Jake Mitchell-Sullivan, COMO The Treasury – State Buildings
Front Office and Administration Employee Award: Trish Lowth, Herdsman Lake Tavern
Highly commended: Marina Jones, Odyssea Beach Cafe
PubTAB Operator Award: Tamara Baughan, Byford Tavern
Cocktail Bartender Award: Katharine Scibiorski, Long Chim – State Buildings
Excellence in Service Award: Jenny Purdy, The Old Synagogue
Venue Manager Award (Joint winners): Troy Landers, Balmoral Hotel & Sarah Bingham, Settlers Tavern
Bar Team Award: Long Chim – State Buildings
OVERALL AWARDS
Group Venue Operator Award: ALH Group
WA’s Best Regional Hospitality Venue: Treendale Farm Hotel, Australind
Perth’s Best Hospitality Venue: The Beaufort, Highgate
