South Australia’s best were on show last night at the AHA|SA Awards for Excellence event, with 750 guests dressed to the nines at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
Scores of nominated venues competed for 34 Awards, paying homage to the pillars of hospitality business across bar, food, entertainment and accommodation. (full list below)
The night’s stand-out performer was the Crafers Hotel in the Adelaide Hills, taking five gongs including top honour Best Overall Hotel.
The pub is the pride of Julie and Ed Peter, who purchased it in 2014 with shareholders Brett Matthews and Jodi Brumby and a vision to create a truly unique culinary and vinous destination, resurrecting it into a landmark pub and guest house at the doorstep to wine country.
The Peter family also own and operate the Stanley Bridge Hotel and Uraidla Hotel, the latter also winning, the prize for Best Bar Presentation and Service – Metropolitan.
Julie Peter attributes the successes to diligence in planning the refurbishment, their partnership with the Matthews and Brumbys, and the work by their architect Carlo Palozzo and builder Advanced Building Concepts.
And the staff, without whom she says “it would just be a nice building.”
“Our staff are like family both to us and to themselves, and we feel blessed that they are so dedicated to their job and to us as owners,” Julie told PubTIC.
“Our fabulous patrons, many of whom are loyal locals, and who have stood by us and endured loud banging, sawing, fine layers of dust accompanying their meals, and a constant stream of tradies filing past.
“Australian hotels are an iconic and historical symbol of community, and we are merely guardians for the next generation. If we have created an environment where people are happy and feel at home, then we have succeeded.”
All AHA|SA Awards winners will go on to be judged in the National AHA Awards, on the Gold Coast 17 September.
“Congratulations to all the winners in the 2018 Hotel Awards for Excellence,” says AHA|SA General Manager, Ian Horne.
“South Australian hotels continue to innovate and produce top-quality venues right across the state, something that hoteliers and their staff should be proud of.
“The flow-on effects of these successful hospitality business will be felt by their local communities and beyond, through the people they employ, the local businesses and suppliers they use, and the local community groups that they support.”
COMPLETE LIST OF 2018 WINNERS
DRAUGHT BEER QUALITY – METROPOLITAN
Cathedral Hotel, North Adelaide
DRAUGHT BEER QUALITY – COUNTRY
Vine Inn, Barossa
MID-RANGE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
Largs Pier Hotel
SUPERIOR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
Crafers Hotel
DELUXE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
The Playford
BISTRO CASUAL DINING – COUNTRY
Sevenhill Hotel
BISTRO CASUAL DINING – METROPOLITAN
Crafers Hotel (joint winner)
Port Admiral Hotel, Port Adelaide (joint winner)
The Barker – Judges Commendation
HEALTHY MENU CHOICES FOR KIDS
Beach Hotel Seaford
RESTAURANT – ACCOMMODATION DIVISION
Mount Lofty House
Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge – Judges Commendation
RESTAURANT – GENERAL DIVISION METROPOLITAN
Apothecary 1878
Electra House – Judges Commendation
BAR PRESENTATION & EXPERIENCE – COUNTRY
Sporties Tavern, Port Pirie
BAR PRESENTATION & EXPERIENCE – METROPOLITAN
Exchange Hotel Gawler (joint winner)
Uraidla Hotel (joint winner)
OUTDOOR OR NON-ENCLOSED FACILITY
Feathers Hotel
Warradale Hotel – Judges Commendation
LIVE MUSIC VENUE
The Gov
ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
The Hindley
SPORTING ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
Warradale Hotel
COMMUNITY SERVICE & SUPPORT
Vine Inn Barossa
MARKETING & PROMOTION – GENERAL DIVISION
Moseley Bar and Kitchen
TOURISM & REGIONAL PROMOTION
Port Lincoln Hotel
ENVIRONMENTAL & ENERGY EFFICIENCY PRACTICE
Electra House
GAMING VENUE – COUNTRY
Hotel Crown, Victor Harbor
GAMING VENUE – METROPOLITAN
Lakes Resort Hotel
The Barker Hotel – Judges Commendation
MEETING & EVENTS VENUE – SPECIALIST & ACCOMMODATION DIVISIONS
National Wine Centre
MEETING & EVENTS VENUE – GENERAL DIVISION
Lion Hotel, North Adelaide
RETAIL OUTLET – ATTACHED
Arkaba Hotel
RETAIL OUTLET – STAND ALONE
East End Cellars
PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD – BEST CBD HOTEL LUNCH
The Elephant British Pub
SMALL VENUE
Pink Moon Saloon
REDEVELOPED HOTEL – COUNTRY
Sporties Tavern, Port Pirie
REDEVELOPED HOTEL – METROPOLITAN
Crafers Hotel (joint winner)
Morphett Arms Hotel (joint winner)
STAFF DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING – GENERAL DIVISION
Warradale Hotel
APPRENTICE DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING
The Crafers Hotel
HOTEL INDUSTRY RISING STAR
Ayesha Ridgway – Hackney Hotel
BEST OVERALL HOTEL
The Crafers Hotel