Auckland Hospitality Salutes its Peers

The winners of the 14th annual Lewisham Awards were announced last night, celebrating Auckland hospitality from inside the industry.
Visting a well-respected restaurant and asking the staff where they eat on their days off is a sure fire way of generating a list of must-visit restaurants, cafés and bars. Now in its 14th year, The Lewisham Awards annually produces such a list for Auckland, through a process of peer nomination and voting within the hospitality industry.
Competition was fierce in 2015, with results in many of the categories being very tight – in particular the Outstanding Chef and Outstanding Sales Representative.
The full list of winners:
Angostura Outstanding Bartender: Kate Rose, Mea Culpa
Beam Suntory Outstanding Bar: Mea Culpa
L’affare Outstanding Coffee Establishment/Barista: EightThirty
Crombie Lockwood Outstanding Waiter: Des Dillon, Soul Bar
EuroVintage Outstanding Wine List: The Grove
General Digital Outstanding Maitre d’: Ash Visvanathan, Woodpecker Hill
Gilmours Outstanding Chef: Michael Meredith, Meredith’s
Menumate Outstanding New Venue: Woodpecker Hill
Aotearoa Fisheries Emerging Talent: Rohan Satam, Wine Chambers
Moet Hennessy Outstanding Hospitality Personality: Nicola Richards, Monsoon Poon
Negociants Outstanding Wine Service Professional: Meg Abbott-Walker, MASU
OneMusic Outstanding Establishment: Coco’s Cantina
Pernod Ricard Outstanding Restaurateur: Nicola Richards, Monsoon Poon
Restaurant Association of New Zealand Outstanding Sales Representative: James Barber, Mineral Wines
Fine Food NZ Outstanding Caterer: LittleWolf
Spark Business Outstanding Supplier: The Produce Company
Waterfront Auckland Outstanding Local: Mo’s Bar
latest issue:
Issue #121
As winter arrives, so does the latest issue of dish! With over 60 recipes this edition features seasonal produce like pumpkin, leeks and silverbeet whipped into delicious dinners. Pasta takes centre-stage in 5 outrageously tasty recipes, then we break out the slow cooker and amp up the comfort with cozy roasts and braises. Winter wouldn’t be the same without a hearty pie or two, and we have a selection – from Beef Cheek Pot Pie to Moroccan Shepherd’s Pie. Food Fast has your speedy weeknight dinners covered then Melie brings the magic with inventive chicken dishes while Olivia’s baking and desserts will brighten the even the coldest days.