Roxie's Red-Hot Cantina & Taco Joint won the people's choice award. Photo / Mead Norton
Roxie's Red-Hot Cantina & Taco Joint won the people's choice award. Photo / Mead Norton
Fife Lane in Mount Maunganui has won the title of supreme establishment in the 2022 Bay of Plenty Hospitality Awards.
The contemporary dining establishment in Central Parade also picked up two more awards - emerging chef for Rhys Mortimer, and outstanding ambience and design.
The hospitality community gathered on Monday night at Trustpower Baypark to celebrate the winners of the 2022 Bay Hospitality Awards.
Presented by the Restaurant Association of New Zealand, with the support of lead sponsor Steve Bird Wines, the awards acknowledge the outstanding hospitality professionals and businesses that are making a positive impact on the local cafe, dining and drinking scene.
Newcomer Solera, which exclusively showcases small New Zealand wine producers, took out three awards - outstanding restaurant, new establishment and the outstanding chef award for Neil Sapitula.
Judges said Blakeway's passion for the industry was matched by his desire to inspire people into a long and successful career in hospitality.
"He is teaching the next generation of chefs to love the industry and teaching them how to use their transferable skill to lead them from the kitchen into other paths within the industry."
Blakeway is credited with changing the face of the Tauranga CBD with the launch of his Deli on Devonport and Plenti Cook School back in 2004, judges said.
"He now consults with a variety of businesses across the Bay of Plenty to help them succeed and achieve results to grow their businesses."
Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois said as hospitality starts its recovery from several challenging years, it was encouraging to see long-established attractions joined by new and emerging venues.
"The Bay of Plenty is a popular destination for domestic tourists and a drawcard for our returning international visitors thanks to its incredible coastline and backed up by the outstanding experiences created by all the entrants in this year's awards."
Bidois said the awards were an opportunity to promote the local hospitality community, bringing people together to recognise achievements in what continues to be unpredictable times.
"It is more important than ever to connect and celebrate one another's success."
