Cellar Door was a big winner on the night, taking out four award categories, including the presitigous gong for Supreme Establishment.

The awards were announced on Monday night at Addington Raceway & Events, presented by the Restaurant Association of New Zealand and acknowledging the region's outstanding hospitality professionals, all of whom are making a positive impact on the local café, dining and drinking scene.

This year's Canterbury Hospitality Awards featured recognition for establishments that had gone above and beyond during lockdown and the Covid recovery with outstanding innovation (Riverside Market owners Kris Inglis, Mike Percasky and Richard Peebles), community spirit (The Vagabond Chefs) and a local hospo hero (Tristin Anderson, Smokey T’s).

Riverside Market offered its tenants rent relief across March, April and May to help them keep their doors open. The owners also introduced Market Box – containing fresh food, meat, vegetables, fish and other raw ingredients that could be ordered online and delivered to customers' doors along with a cloud kitchen concept containing up to 20 commercial kitchens for small businesses needing extra cooking space. Outstanding community spirit went to The Vagabond Chefs for their community-focused offering after Level 4 lock down. The team contributed regular donations of resources and food to Christchurch City Mission and Kidscan to help those most at need in the community.

Cellar Door, a fantastic wine bar located in The Arts Centre's south quadrangle, collected accolades including Outstanding Wine Experience, Outstanding New Establishment, Outstanding Ambience & Design, and Supreme Establishment.

Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois says “The hard-working Christchurch hospitality industry deserve recognition more than most. They have been at the forefront of the redesign of the city and to have Covid hit them just as they were finding their stride is testament to their incredible creativity and resilience.

“It has never been more important for diners to get out and try the fantastic array of local dining spots so we hope these awards inspire Cantabrians to support their locals.”

The winners

Meadow Fresh Outstanding Barista Fumihiko Takai, Espresso Studio by Fushoken

Coca Cola Amatil Outstanding Bartender Charles Guillotine Gillet, The Last Word

Ara Institute of Canterbury Emerging Front of House William Chase, INATI

Tevalis Outstanding Front of House Team Twenty Seven Steps

posBoss Outstanding Maitre'd Amy Harrison-Wright, Ma Maison Akaroa

Southern Hospitality Emerging Chef Jimmy Whitefield, The Monday Room

Service Foods Outstanding Chef Simon Levy, INATI

McCarthy Design Outstanding Street Food/Casual Dining Smokey T’s

Bidfood Outstanding Café Child Sister

The Wine Writer Outstanding Wine & Beverage List Alfred

Negociants Outstanding Wine Experience Cellar Door

Coca Cola Amatil Outstanding Bar O.G.B Bar & Cocktail Bar

Menulog Outstanding New Venue/Establishment Cellar Door

American Express Outstanding Central City Establishment The Craft Embassy

Nova Energy Outstanding Regional Establishment Black Estate

OneMusic Outstanding Ambience & Design Cellar Door

Eftpos NZ Outstanding Ethnic Cuisine Khmer Angkor

Red & White Cellar Outstanding Restaurant 5th Street

Addington Raceway Outstanding Sales Rep Brad Nolan, Red & White Cellar

NZI Insurance Outstanding Supplier Cultivate

Greystone Wines Outstanding Caterer The Bespoke Chef

Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding People’s Choice Smokey T’s

Trents Supreme Breakthrough Talent Jimmy Whitefield, The Monday Room

Trents Supreme Crew Member Charles Guillotine Gillet, The Last Word

Trents Supreme Establishment Cellar Door

Trents Supreme Supplier The Bespoke Chef

Canterbury Resilience Awards Winners

Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding Innovation Riverside Market owners Kris Inglis, Mike Percasky and Richard Peebles

Restaurant Association of NZ Outstanding Community Spirit The Vagabond Chefs

Nova Energy Outstanding Local Hospo Hero Tristin Anderson, Smokey T’s

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