Rotorua toasts hospitality icons at awards night

Two icons of Rotorua hospitality have been honoured at the inaugural Rotorua Hospitality Awards.

A highlight of Sunday night's gala dinner, attended by 240 guests, was the presentation of Hospitality Icon awards to Herb Sewell and Leola Walker-Hayes for their contributions to hospitality in Rotorua.

Mr Sewell has run restaurants in the city for 45 years, including 29 years as owner - with wife Annette - of the former Herb's Place restaurant on Tutanekai St. Although "semi-retired" he has stayed involved in the industry and was among the guests on Sunday.

"I had no idea I would be getting an award," he said. "I was quite surprised."

Mr Sewell said his first mentor in hospitality told him if he wanted to succeed in the industry he couldn't do it alone.

"Over the years I have employed a lot of good staff in Rotorua," he said.

Since selling Herb's Place in 2009 he has helped out behind the scenes of the Urbano Bistro, owned by son Richard and daughter-in-law Julie. He said not much had changed when it came to running a successful restaurant.

"You have to have good food, good service and it has to be good value," he said. "Then you have to be particular with staff and have some ambience."

Mrs Walker-Hayes set up Arahia Qualitech, which provided hospitality and tourism training in Rotorua until 2005. Her award was accepted by her granddaughter Renee Liddell Hayes, who said she was humbled by the recognition.

"We are so proud of our Nan and all that she has accomplished within Rotorua hospitality. Her students were highly sought after by industry and a lot of them have gone on to very successful careers," said Ms Liddell Hayes.

Restaurant Association Rotorua spokeswoman Sharon Wallace said Mrs Walker-Hayes made a huge contribution to hospitality in Rotorua and had done an enormous amount for the youth she trained.

The Icon winners were chosen by the Restaurant Association committee, while the remaining winners were decided by vote.

Winners of the Rotorua Hospitality Awards 2012:

• 
  Hospitality Icon sponsored by Destination Rotorua Marketing and Rotorua Economic Development: Herb Sewell, Herbs Place & Leola Walker-Hayes, Arahia Qualitech
• 
  Outstanding Bar sponsored by MORE FM: Pig & Whistle
• 
  Outstanding Bartender sponsored by H S I: Malakai Waqanimaravu, Seismic Gastrobar
• 
  Outstanding Barista sponsored by Skyline Rotorua: Simon Kerr, Zippys
• 
  Outstanding Cafe sponsored by Heinz Watties Food Service Solutions: Picnic Cafe
• 
  Emerging Chef sponsored by Unilever Food Solutions: Johnny Frederick, Seismic Gastrobar
• 
  Outstanding Chef sponsored by Barkers Fine Foods: Ajay Kumar, Indian Star
• 
  Outstanding Hotel Restaurant sponsored by Vivreau: Atlas Restaurant, Novotel Rotorua Lakeside
• 
  Outstanding Restaurant sponsored by APRA and PPNZ: Indian Star
• 
  Outstanding Supplier sponsored by Restaurant Association of New Zealand: Gilmour's Rotorua
• 
  Outstanding Waiter sponsored by Restaurant Association of New Zealand: Mandeep Singh, Cableway Restaurant, Skyline Rotorua