The best bars, restaurants, cafes and hotels in New Zealand were announced as winners at this year’s Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence.

The range of winners across 15 categories encompass everything from a small town country pub and provincial city restaurants through to upmarket gastro bars and a five star hotel in the capital city.

The winners were honoured at the organisation’s national conference held in Nelson last night.

Supreme champion – Art Deco Masonic Hotel, Napier

Best new/redeveloped bar/restaurant – The Hideaway Bar, Wellington

Best country hotel – Theatre Royal Hotel, Kumara, West Coast

Excellence in host responsibility – Christchurch Casino

Excellence in training and staff Development – Delaware North Wellington Airport, Wellington

Best Restaurant – Portlander Bar and Grill, Wellington

Excellence in gaming – Yardhouse, Hamilton

Best accommodation – Art Deco Masonic Hotel, Napier

Excellence in customer service – Smith and Mackenzie Chophouse, Chartwell, Hamilton

Best cafe – Spruce Goose, Wellington

Best bar – The Occidental, Auckland

Best music entertainment venue – Dux Live, Christchurch

Best beverage list – Indigo Restaurant, Napier

Best retail off-licence – West Liquor Westgate Centre, Massey, Auckland

Best dish $25 and under – Sugarhorse Bar and Eatery, Christchurch

Best Dish over $25 – Bolton Hotel, Wellington

Hospitality New Zealand CEO, Bruce Robertson, said the wide ranging spectrum of winners at this year’s awards reflects the broad reach of the hospitality industry  and the importance the commercial sector played within the wider NZ economy.

“All these winners reflect an incredible amount of passion and commitment from their business owners, and that passion and commitment is ultimately passed on to their customers. They rightly deserve to be recognised as the best in their class, anywhere in NZ,” he said.

“Unlike in many previous years, no one winner dominated the individual categories this year. The winners come not only from different geographic locations across the country, but also reflect all aspects of the food, beverage and accommodation markets.

“The degree of professionalism contained in the entries submitted by this year’s award winners indicates an industry in good shape – driven by passionate and visionary business operators who are committed to delivery outstanding customer experiences.”

Entrants into the Hospitality NZ Awards for Excellence are judged over a seven-week period by a panel of independent industry professionals who assess every competitor on a range of commercial and operational criteria, including staff training and human resources, customer service, marketing and promotional activities, and the demonstration of business growth.