Foodies rescue awards

Napier's Emporium Eatery & Bar won the 2015 Steinlager Pure award for outstanding bar.

The Hawke's Bay Hospitality Awards will run for a ninth year in 2016, despite losing its organisers.

The Restaurant Association of New Zealand has come to the rescue after Food Hawke's Bay closed its doors this month due to lack of funding.

The awards, to be held in May, celebrate excellence among the region's top food and beverage merchants.

Association chief executive Marisa Bidois said the awards were an important ingredient for a region recognised for its wine and food.

"It's imperative the hospitality industry recognises its champions as it provides not only a peer benchmark for excellence, it also serves to give consumers valuable guidelines as to how well we are doing," she said.

While it was early days, she hoped the association's support and backing would bring new possibilities for the awards.

"It's our aim to help reward those who make it happen in this industry and we certainly plan to build on what has been achieved in a positive way," she said.

Food Hawke's Bay chairman Phil Pollett said it was good to know the event was "in good hands".