Hotel awards finalists Biddy Walsh's and Gerry's the toast of the town

RAISING THE BAR: Staff from Biddy Walsh’s Irish Pub, Christian O’Donoghue, Mary Campbell, Rebecca Fox, Lauren Bremner, Thomas Fox and Adam Rice are excited to be nominated for two awards at the Australian Hotels Association NSW Awards to be announced Monday. Photo: MEGAN FOSTER

The owners of an Orange Irish pub and a hotel in Millthorpe are waiting on the edge of their seats after making it through to the final rounds of the Australian Hotels Association NSW Awards.

Glyn Daunt of Biddy Walsh’s Irish Pub was excited after finding out the pub had been shortlisted in the best new/redeveloped hotel - country category and the best casual dining venue - country (west).

Gerry’s @ The Commercial in Millthorpe also made it through to the finals of the best casual dining venue - country (west).

The winning hotel for each category will be announced at Darling Harbour on Monday, November 24. 

“I was delighted, it is just the hard work of all the team, we are just honoured to be nominated, which is good,” Mr Daunt said.

Mr Daunt took over the former Standard Hotel last May and, following a three-month renovation, reopened it as an Irish pub serving Irish and Australian food on August 5 last year.

Gerry’s @ The Commercial owner Gerry Faulkner said each pub had to nominate themselves and a secret tasting was carried out by anonymous judges at each site, with the best hotels shortlisted for the awards.

“I’m happy to be up there, but I’m waiting to see if we win or not,” Mr Faulkner said.

“We are just a country pub that gives good country pub food, not fine dining.

“We’ve had great support from Orange, Bathurst, Blayney communities and Millthorpe of course.”

Source : Central Western Daily  Tanya Marschke  November 19th 2014