Local hospos donned their finest for the one night a year they can all get together to toast the ninth annual Hawke's Bay Hospitality Awards last night .
Dedicated restaurant Bistronomy, who focus on making "everyday eating a little bit extraordinary" nabbed two top spots when they took away the EIT Outstanding Front of House Team award and One Music Outstanding Restaurant award.
Chef James Beck and his team said "we're really stoked with these awards."
"Myself and the whole team have put a big effort into giving Hawke's Bay something new and fresh and this recognition by our colleagues in the industry means a lot."
He extended his thanks to the association for putting the awards together as well as voters.
"But most of all the bistronomy team ... they rock, they are true bistronomers."
Manager Dean Lister said he triumphed in seeing the look of delight on diners' faces when dishes were delivered to their tables.
"We're just really chuffed that we've been able to attract a really high quality staff ... and having really receptive Hawke's Bay locals who really get behind any new enterprise."
Hastings bar Common Room also took away two awards with Simply Squeezed Outstanding Local and Steinlager Pure Outstanding Bar.
The awards were presented by Restaurant Association of New Zealand, a membership organisation serving restaurant and hospitality businesses nationwide.
Co-hosts for the evening were John MacPherson of Advantage Wines and Kim Davis of Rod McDonald wines.
The association runs a number of these awards in regions throughout the country and Mr MacPherson started the night by telling the crowd who packed into Napier's MTG Theatre that "the Hawke's Bay hospitality community was really well known within the country".
A record number of votes were received this year with 6000 entries across 13 categories, compared to last year's 5000.
The association stated the figure was an endorsement for the industry, a tribute to the calibre of talent in the region's hospitality circuit and a demonstration of the value of the awards.
Tried and true favourites were crowned winners alongside some new faces and places making a significant impact on dining options.
Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois said the awards were an important platform to highlight the region's successes and acknowledge industry achievements.
"With so many talented operators and dedicated hospitality professionals in the region each category was keenly contested and we congratulate the winners on a job well done."
Mexi Mama's Jamie Buckley, who took out Hawke's Bay Today Outstanding Ethnic Restaurant award, said it was great to be recognised for something they had been working really hard for.
"It's the special recipes all the way from Mexico we can't give to anyone that keeps people coming back," Mr Buckley said.
Association president Sean Burns said "the winners reflect the dynamic and diverse businesses that the Hawke's Bay community has to choose from".
The winners were announced in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 300 hospitality staff last night.
Afterwards they were treated to a tipple and food while mixing with fellow industry colleagues at a party at Shed 2 in Ahuriri which Art Deco buses whisked them away to.