By Vanessa Cavasinni, editor Australian Hotelier
Newcastle-based Hunt Hospitality has received nominations for all five of its venues in the AHA NSW Awards for Excellence.
The Kent Hotel, The Duke Of Wellington, The Rutherford Hotel, Lakeside Village Tavern and Ocean View Hotel are finalists for a cumulative 18 awards, the most of any group in this year’s Awards for Excellence. Stephen Hunt, director of Hunt Hospitality is very pleased with the group’s nominations.
“It was a shock! It’s a nice compliment, because all of the awards are conducted by independent auditors. And you also get a report on each pub so we’re actually looking forward to reading through those and seeing where we can further improve. So whether we win anything, we already feel as though we’ve had a win.”
All five hotels are finalists in the Best Traditional Hotel Bar – Country category, which Hunt puts down to the focus on attracting local patrons.
“We are very locals-focused, and I think that that lends itself towards a traditional bar, as you’ve got different groups coming in at different times of the day, and I think it reflects in that.”
Two staff members are also up for awards with Jimmy Calligeros at The Duke of Wellington up for Chef of the Year, and Rebekah Wagner, administration and promotions manager of Lakeside Village Tavern a finalist for Industry Rising Star.
Hunt hospitality is also a finalist for Group Hotel Operator.
“We’re delighted to be compared to other great hotel groups and pubs. It’s nice to have our name mentioned along the likes of the Gallaghers, the O’Haras, the Laundys and the Merivale group. We’re really happy to be in that company.”
Hunt Hospitality’s list of nominations are as follows:
The Kent Hotel
- Best Gaming Venue Country
- Best Nightclub, Nightlife Venue
- Best Outdoor Experience Country
- Best Steak Venue
- Best Traditional Hotel Bar Country
The Duke of Wellington
- Best Nightclub, Nightlife Venue
- Best Cheap Eat Meal Under $15 Country
- Best Steak Venue
- Best Traditional Hotel Bar Country
- Chef of the Year, Jimmy Calligeros Country
The Rutherford Hotel
- Best Cheap Eat Meal Under $15 Country
- Best Draught Beer Quality
- Best Traditional Hotel Bar Country
Lakeside Village Tavern
- Best Cheap Eat Meal Under $15 Country
- Best Traditional Hotel Bar Country
- Heart of the Community
- Industry Rising Star, Rebekah Wagner
Ocean View Hotel
- Best Traditional Hotel Bar Country
Hunt Hospitality
- Group Hotel Operator