Voters choose low and slow at annual hospitality awards

Monday, 19 August 2024

Smokey T's, owned by Tristin Anderson, has been given the People’s Choice award at this year’s Restaurant Association Canterbury Hospitality Awards.

The winners of the annual Canterbury Hospitality Awards have showcased the region’s diverse establishments, from coffee and cakes to fine dining and wine lists.

Held on Monday evening at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, the Restaurant Association Canterbury Hospitality Awards announced 20 deserving people and places voted as the best of the best in their respective categories.

Tristin Anderson, of Smokey T's Barbeque, details the cooking of a brisket. (First published December 2020)

The People’s Choice award - determined by the public - saw voters opt for low and slow barbecue at Smokey T’s as their top spot, following last year’s win for pizza at The Birdwood Eatery and Pizzeria.

The biggest winners of the year were Inati and Bar Yoku, both earning two awards — Inati for Outstanding Wine and Beverage List and Emerging Chef, Quinn Ojala; and Bar Yoku in The Welder getting acknowledgement for Outstanding Front of House and Outstanding Restaurant Manager Laura Holcroft.

Another winner from The Welder in Welles St was Bareno, which bagged the Outstanding Bar award.

Smoke ‘n’ Barrel on Christchurch’s Ferry Rd was awarded Outstanding Street Food/Casual Dining.

Outstanding Barista was awarded to Sala Coffee’s Eduardo Santos, who has owned the Wigram cafe with his wife, Jay, since 2022.

Other outstanding industry people acknowledged at the awards included The Last Word bartender Cory Evans and Table Bloom chef Julie Han.

Modern Korean cuisine restaurant Brewda won Outstanding New Establishment. Pictured: owner Cian Curtin, left, and head chef Jaehyub Jake Lee.

Hello Sunday, owned by Jamie and Ashleigh Moir, was awarded Outstanding Cafe, Brew Moon in North Canterbury took home Outstanding Regional Establishment, Outstanding Restaurant was won by Black Estate, and St Asaph St newcomer Scoundrel finished first in Outstanding Ambience and Design.

Outstanding Street Food/Casual Dining went to Smoke ‘n’ Barrel, Outstanding New Establishment went to Brewda on The Terrace and Supreme Establishment was taken out by a bar specialising in wine flights, Cellar Door.

Inati is an industry favourite, picking up two awards for Outstanding Wine and Beverage List and Emerging Chef Quinn Ojala.

Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois said the awards celebrated the talent, hard work and dedication that went in to delivering “exception dining experiences”.

“Christchurch truly boasts a plethora of fantastic dining options, from exquisite fine dining establishments to diverse ethnic eateries reflecting the city’s rich cultural tapestry and … the great little coffee houses and incredible street food vendors.

“There’s genuinely something here for everyone to enjoy.”