Awards for Canberra’s booming hospitality sector
Canberra’s best restaurants, pubs and bars were celebrated in fine style this week at the ACT Australian Hotels Association awards.
This year, there were a record number of entries to the awards, testimony to the growth of the industry in Australia’s capital.
Big accolades went for Brian Smith. His two venues Hopscotch in Braddon and Young & Frisky in Gungahlin were honoured no less than three times, taking out the John Press award. And Hopscotch went on to co-win the best pub bistro with The Meating Room in Weston Creek.
Smith said he was in a state of absolute shock picking up the award. He said he didn’t expect it.
He put it down to terrific service, adaptability and confidence.
"You have to evolve and chance with the industry or things become stale," Smith told the Canberra Times.
"I think we were just a little bit different to other places, we really want to create an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable."
Then there was East Hotel on Canberra Avenue. It took away four of the 30 awards. Joe's Bar inside the East hotel got the best new/redeveloped venue and its chef Barsha Rai was awarded best apprentice chef.
East Hotel general manager Todd Handy said the awards highlighted what was on offer in Canberra.
“The industry here is run by clever and forward-thinking groups and I think sometimes they sell themselves short in their potential of bringing people to Canberra," Handy told the Canberra Times.
Best Cocktail Bar went to joint award winners - Bar Rochford and Molly were recognised for their cocktail offerings. Best Local was picked up by The George Harcourt Inn and Best Late Night Entertainment Venue went to Shorty’s.
Pomegranate in Kingston picked up the best restaurant.
Best sporting venue went to neighbouring pub, The Dock.
by Leon Gettler, July 13th 2016
