Finalists to be named tonight

Patricia Small

Hawke's Bay Hospitality Awards reveal the industry's top spots to wine, dine and get your coffee fix.

An official opening at The Masonic tonight sees the announcement of four finalists in each of the 13 categories - from outstanding bar to best ambience and style.

The aim is to celebrate hospitality successes while recognising those putting in the hard yards.

Industry insiders judged their peers on food, beverage and service by placing a vote for the best staff and establishments from Wairoa to Dannevirke.

That process, across 13 different categories, began on March 16. Following, that votes were counted and the top four became finalists.

Those names will be put to another vote, determining the overall winners " to be named during a ceremony on May 25 at Napier MTG Century Theatre.

"It's a fantastic opportunity to celebrate an industry which works incredibly hard and quite unsociable hours, they're still working while most people are tucked up in bed," Food Hawke's Bay manager Patricia Small said.

Categories were structured to reflect the significance of roles played by hospitality workers in providing a vibrant and vital local scene.

"The awards are a means of reassuring members of the public that these establishments and people within the industry are worthy of recognition and makes their dining choices easier."

This year there have been a couple of new restaurants nominated, about 50 more people involved in the voting process and a handful of new sponsors.

One, of those sponsors, Bounce Hangover Helper, came on board to support the Outstanding Supplier/Sales rep finalists.

"Connecting with our customers and people in the hospitality industry is our primary objective and these awards are a great avenue for connection as well as recognising excellence," brand manager Emma Raisey said.

-The eighth annual awards ceremony will be held at Napier's MTG with an industry after-party at Shed 2 - tickets go on sale tomorrow.