Editorial: Real gems get it right

Congratulations to all the winners of the Rotorua Hospitality Awards.

A huge congrats to all the winners at last night's Rotorua Hospitality Awards.

No matter what industry you work in, it's a satisfying feeling to be recognised for being the best at what you do.

Which is why there was a real sense of excitement at the Convention Centre last night as our hospo workers got their gladrags on to celebrate their achievements.

The list of winners (page 5 today) includes some real gems - both old favourites such as Oppies and Indian Star and newcomers to the dining scene such as Leonardo's Pure Italian.

As humans we come together over food and drink. For many, going out to eat or drink is one of life's great pleasures, even if it's no longer the rare treat I remember it being as a child.

Delicious food, a nice atmosphere and great service can make a night out memorable, something you'll tell friends and colleagues about. But if hospo providers get even one of those factors wrong, a night out can be ruined.

In a tourist city like ours, it's even more important our visitors have a great experience. Some of my favourite travel memories involve exceptional evenings or meals out - a city can get the thumbs up or thumbs down from me solely on how good the food was.

The winners, and indeed the finalists, must have been doing something right over the last year for both locals and tourists. So well done to them, and on behalf of all us foodies out there, thanks.

And if you haven't done so already, go check out the winners for yourselves.