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Hippo Bar owner takes top gong

SASHA Trpkovski, co-owner of Hippo Bar and Honkytonks took out the top individual award at the Australian Hotel Association’s Hospitality Awards.

Mr Trpkovski won the John Press Award for outstanding contribution to the industry and/or community last night in front of more than 400 of Canberra’s hospitality leaders.

“Honkytonks has helped revitalise Garema Place in Civic and has been exceptionally well received by the Canberra public,” AHA ACT general manager Gwyn Rees said.

“Since opening in October 2011, this new venue has attracted large crowds and become one of the ACT’s most hip and happening places.

“The success Honkytonks has enjoyed in such a short time was recognised with high commendations in two other award categories – Best New/Redeveloped Venue and Best Bar Presentation and Service.”

There were 34 winners including: Best Family Restaurant, Caph’s Café Bar; Best International Cuisine and Best Restaurant (Informal – Overall), Italian & Sons; and Best Prestigious Restaurant, Sage Dining Rooms.

Winners were chosen following a nomination process and a thorough assessment program which includes independent judges visiting each venue and testing against national criteria.

Many of the winners will go on to represent the ACT at the AHA National Awards for Excellence in September.

See our social photos from the awards night here.

[box]Australian Hotel Association’s Hospitality Awards winners and nominees:

John Press Award: Winner – Sasha Trpovski, HonkyTonks & Hippo Bar

Member of the Year: Winner – Doma Hotels

Best Family Restaurant: Winner – Caph’s Café Bar

Best International Cuisine: Nominees – Taze’ Mediterranean Cuisine, Italian & Sons.Winner – Italian & Sons

Best Prestigous Restaurant: Nominees – Mezzalira Ristorante, The Artisan Restaurant, Sage Dining Rooms. Winner – Sage Dining Rooms

Best Modern Australian Restaurant: Nominees – Kingsley’s Steak & Crabhouse, Pistachio Dining at Torrens, The Kennedy Room, Public. Winner – Pistachio Dining at Torrens

Best Restaurant (Informal – Overall): Nominees – Kingsley’s Steak & Crabhouse, Pistachio Dining at Torrens, Taze’ Mediterranean Cuisine, The Kennedy Room, Italian & Sons, Public. Winner – Italian & Sons

Best Pub Bistro: Nominees – Mooseheads Pub & Nightclub, The Durham Castle Arms, The George Harcourt Inn, King O’Malleys, Ha Ha Bar, Edgars Inn. Winner – The George Harcourt Inn

Best Wine List: Nominees – The George Harcourt Inn, The Artisan Restaurant, Mezzalira Ristorante, Italian & Sons, Honkytonks, Public. Winner – The George Harcourt Inn

Best Bar Presentation & Service: Nominees – Mooseheads Pub & Nightclub, The Durham Castle Arms, The Kennedy Room, King O’Malleys, Honkytonks, Kremlin Bar, Edgars Inn, Hippo Bar, Sub-Urban, Northbar, ICBM, Public, Mint Garden Bar. Winner – Public. Highly Commended – HonkyTonks

Best Cocktail Bar: Nominees – Kremlin Bar, La De Da, Hippo Bar, Northbar. Winner – Kremlin Bar

Best Local: Nominees – The George Harcourt Inn, Edgars Inn, Ha Ha Bar, Mint Garden Bar. Winner – Edgars Inn

Best New/Re-developed Venue (General Division): Nominees – Sage Dining Rooms, Honkytonks, La De Da, Soju Girl, Public.Winner – Public. Highly Commended – HonkyTonks

Best Late Night Entertainment Venue: Nominees – Mooseheads Pub & Nightclub, Academy Nightclub, Transit Bar, ICBM, Meche. Winner – Academy Nightclub

Best Live Entertainment Venue: Nominees –  Mooseheads Pub & Nightclub, King O’Malley’s, Sub-Urban, Transit Bar. Winner – Transit Bar

Best Sporting Entertainment Area: Nominees – The Durham Castle Arms, Statesman Hotel Motel, King O’Malley’s, Edgar’s Inn, Sub-Urban Winner – Sub-Urban.

Best Deluxe Accommodation: Nominees – Hotel Realm, Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Winner – Hotel Realm

Best Superior Accommodation: Nominees – Diamant Hotel Canberra, Burbury Hotel. Winner – Diamant Hotel Canberra

Best First Class Accommodation: Nominees – Belconnen Premier Inn, Quality Hotel Dickson, Quality Hotel Woden, The Brassey of Canberra, all seasons Canberra. Winner – Quality Hotel Dickson

Best Mid-Range Accommodation: Nominees – Statesman Hotel Motel, Forrest Hotel and Apartments. Winner – Statesman Hotel Motel

Best Suite/Apartment Hotel: Nominees – Clifton Suites on Northbourne, Forrest Hotel and Apartments. Winner – Clifton Suites on Northbourne

Best Hotel Restaurant: Winner – Bicicletta, Diamant Hotel Canberra

Best Marketed Hotel: Nominees – Rydges Eagle Hawk Resort, Hyatt Hotel Canberra, Diamant Hotel Canberra, Burbury Hotel, Forrest Hotel and Apartments. Winner – Hyatt Hotel Canberra

Best Meetings & Events Hotel: Nominees – Hotel Realm, Hyatt Hotel Canberra, Forrest Hotel and Apartments. Winner – Hotel Realm Canberra

Best New/Re-developed Venue (Accommodation Division): Nominees – Quality Hotel Dickson, Burbury Hotel. Winner – Burbury Hotel

Best Environmental Practice: Nominees – Rydges Eagle Hawke Resort, all seasons Canberra. Winner – Rydges Eagle Hawke Resort

Best Front of House Employee: Nominees –  Alyssa from Rydges Eagle Hawk Resort, Alex from Hyatt Hotel Canberra, Matt from all seasons Canberra, Erika from all seasons Canberra, Kate from Quality Hotel Dickson. Winner – Erika Jurd, all seasons Canberra

Best Restaurant Service Employee: Nominees – Dexter from Hyatt Hotel Canberra, Michael from Caph’s Café Bar, Emily from Caph’s Café Bar. Winner – Dexter Mathais, Hyatt Hotel Canberra

Best Restaurant Cookery Employee: Winner – Clement Chauvin, Sage Dining Rooms

Best Apprentice Chef: Nominees – Jemma from Pistachio Dining at Torrens, John from all seasons Canberra, Ashleigh from Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Winner – Jemma Patat, Pistachio Dining at Torrens.

Best Bar Service Employee: Nominees – Duncan from Kremlin Bar, Richard from Mint Garden Bar, Russell from La De Da, Julia from Meche, Bryce from Northbar. Winner – Richard ‘Dick’ Blanchard, Mint Garden Bar [/box]

 

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