VICTORIA CELEBRATES A RETURN TO AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

A thousand industry guests and professionals welcomed the winners of the 2021 Australian Hotels Association (Victoria) State Awards for Excellence this week, at a gala dinner at The Palladium at Crown.

The big winner on the night was the Lower Plenty Hotel, claiming both Overall Hotel of the Year -Metropolitan and Best Outdoor Experience – Metropolitan. The Ian Larkin Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional was awarded to the Criterion Hotel in Sale.

Sand Hill Road also had a big night, taking the gong for Best Hotel Group Operator, as well as Best Marketed Hotel for the amazing The Espy.

Melbourne’s world class dining scene sees Chef of the Year hotly contested. This year it was jointly awarded to Colin Rafferty of Cardinia Park Hotel in Beaconsfield, and Damien Quinn of Kelly’s Motor Club Hotel in Cranbourne.

2021 marked the fifth year for the popular People’s Choice Award, open to all nominees. The AHA reports receiving a record number of votes via its text line, with the prize going to the Middle Hotel, in Korumburra.

Established back in 1997 in memory of Nick Nikakis, the annual Nikakis Award aims to recognise individuals or organisations who “serve as an inspiration to all in the industry” through their sustained performance and commitment.

The 2021 recipient was Andrew Clark, from Geelong’s Cremorne Hotel and Wharf Shed.

“Our Nikakis award winner, Andrew Clark, certainly fits the bill of sustained performance and commitment,” said AHA (Vic) President, David Canny. “He is humble, good humoured and generous.”

The AHA (Vic) Awards for Excellence program was established in the late 1980s to recognise outstanding achievement. It has grown to count 41 categories.

Hotel of Year Metropolitan Lower Plenty Hotel

Full list of 2021 winners:

Chef of the Year – Colin Rafferty and Damien Quinn

Excellence in Service – Michelle McQuilton

Emerging Leader of the Year – Nicole Irvine

Best Takeaway Initiative Award – The Western Hotel – Ballarat

Best Pub Restaurant – Regional – Tinamba Hotel

Best Pub Restaurant – Metropolitan – MPD Steak Kitchen Caulfield

Best Pub Bar – Regional – Apollo Bay Hotel

Best Pub Bar – Metropolitan – Botanical Hotel & York on Lilydale

Best Family Dining – Zagame’s Berwick Hotel

Best Casual Dining – Regional – The Heritage Balnarring

Best Casual Dining – Metropolitan – The Camden Hotel

Best PubTAB – Regional – Grand Junction Hotel

Best PubTAB – Metropolitan – Newmarket Tavern

Best Gaming Venue with 50 Machines of Less – Regional – The Dava Hotel

Best Gaming Venue with 50 Machines of Less – Metropolitan – Templestowe Hotel

Best Gaming Venue with 51 Machines of More – Regional – Zagame’s Ballarat Hotel

Best Gaming Venue with 51 Machines of More – Metropolitan – Sugar Gum Hotel

Best Keno Venue – Regional – The Middle Hotel Korumburra

Best Keno Venue – Metropolitan – Welcome Stanger Hotel

Best Outdoor Experience – Regional – The Heritage Balnarring

Best Outdoor Experience – Metropolitan – Lower Plenty Hotel

Best Function And Event Space – Platform 28

Best Rooftop Experience – Telegraph Hotel

Best Hotel Accommodation – Taylors Lakes Hotel

Best Hotel – Pub Style Accommodation – The Criterion Hotel, Sale

Best Innovative Retail Space – Great Ocean Road Brewhouse

Best Sports Bar – Regional – The Grovedale Hotel

Best Sports Bar – Metropolitan – Highpoint Hotel

Best Speciality Bar – Queenscliff Brewhouse

Best Presented Beer – Hophaus Euro Bar Bistro

Best Environmental Initiative – The Vine Hotel – Wangaratta

Best Redeveloped Hotel – Food & Beverage – Woolsthorpe Union Station Hotel

Best Redeveloped Hotel – Gaming – Torquay Hotel

Best Hotel Group Operator – Sand Hill Road

Outstanding Achievement in Training – Zagame’s Caulfield Hotel

People’s Choice Award – The Middle Hotel Korumburra

Best Marketed Hotel – Hotel Esplanade

Best Live Entertainment Venue – The Corner Hotel

Nikakis Award – Andrew Clark

Ian Larkin Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional  – The Criterion Hotel, Sale

Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan – Lower Plenty Hotel

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