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.
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