A record crowd packed Crown Towers Perth last night to celebrate the winners of the 2021 AHA-Aon Hospitality Awards for Excellence, which was hosted at the Little Creatures Gala Ball.

AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods said for the second year running, the gala ball was largest gathering of hospitality professionals anywhere in Australia, underscoring the fortunate position WA has enjoyed for much of the past 12 months.

“WA’s hotel and hospitality industry has continued to face challenges associated with COVID-19, but there is no question that we are in a far better situation than most, which has allowed us to host Australia’s largest hospitality industry event two years in a row,” Mr Woods said.

“Despite navigating several lockdowns, restrictions, border closures and the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic, WA’s bars, pubs, hotels, taverns and restaurants have reached new levels of excellence in hospitality – these awards celebrate this determination and success.”

“WA now boasts world-class hospitality venues, which is reflected in the quality of the winners and finalists of this year’s awards – Western Australians really are spoiled for choice across the state.”

Last night’s award categories included WA’s Best Regional Hospitality Venue won by Treendale Farm Hotel, Group Venue Operator Award won ARK Group, Cocktail Bar Award won by Tiki as FK, Restaurant Award won by Tonic & Ginger (The Old Synagogue), Small Bar Award won by Caballitos, Wine List Award won by The Shorehouse and Perth’s Best Hospitality Venue won by The Royal Hotel Perth.

Perth Airport and Healthy Mind Menu were also announced as recipients of the Service to Australia Awards for their contribution to the WA community during the pandemic.

The complete list of winners can be found below:

WINNERS 2021 AHA-AON HOSPITALITY AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

GENERAL AWARDS

Community Service Award (Joint winners)

Parkerville Tavern

The Marina Mindarie

Training Initiative Award

Varsity Group

Retail Bottleshop Award

Treendale Farm Hotel

Aon Responsible Service of Alcohol Award

Settlers Tavern, Margaret River

Draught Beer Quality Award

Grand Central Tavern, Karratha

The Lion Bar Presentation and Service Award

The Old Synagogue

Small Bar Award

Caballitos

Cocktail Bar Award

Tiki As FK (Hall of Fame)

Late Night Venue Award

Universal Bar, Perth

Tourism Initiative Award

Onslow Beach Resort

Conference and Functions Award

The Ritz-Carlton, Perth

Outdoor Area Award

Last Drop Elizabethan

Boutique Brewery Award

Blasta Brewing Company

Redeveloped Venue Award

The Como Hotel

New Venue Award  

Treendale Farm Hotel

Social Media Activity Award

Sneakers & Jeans Group

DINING AWARDS

WA’s Best Steak Sandwich Competition

C.Y.O'Connor Village Pub

Contemporary Bar Menu Award

The Standard Perth

Casual Pub Dining Award – Metropolitan

The Royal Hotel, Perth

Casual Pub Dining Award – Regional

The Exchange Hotel, Kalgoorlie

Family Dining Award

Treendale Farm Hotel

Restaurant Award

Tonic & Ginger - The Old Synagogue

Wine List Award

The Shorehouse

ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS

TAB Hotel/PubTAB Venue Award

The Brook Bar & Bistro

Sporting Entertainment Venue Award

Varsity, Morley

Live Entertainment Venue Award

The Bridge Garden Bar

Themed Venue Award

Convenients

EMPLOYEE AWARDS      

Rising Star Award

Lisa Lemon, The Gate Bar & Bistro

Cookery Services Employee Award

Stewart Wann, Bailey Brewing Co

Highly Commended: Ferdinando Fucci, Settlers Tavern

Head Chef Award

Sebastian Sindermann, Seven Sins Perth Hills

Highly Commended: Jett Alexander, HADIQA

Food and Beverage Services Employee Award

Jack Leech, White Salt

Highly Commended: Kate Neil, Fiorita Deli

Front Office and Administration Employee Award

Lauren Scrimshaw, Onslow Beach Resort

PubTAB Operator Award

Tracey Tylor, Beeches Tavern

Cocktail Bartender Award

Bjorn Karason, Tiki as FK (Hall of Fame)

Excellence in Service Award

Benjamin Johnson, Varnish On King

Highly Commended: Rodrigo Simoes, The Shorehouse

Venue Manager Award (Joint winners)

Troy Landers, Hyde Park Hotel

Sally Lovell, Il Lido Italian Canteen

Bar Team Award

The Peninsula Bar & Restaurant

OVERALL AWARDS

Group Venue Operator Award (Joint winners)

ARK Group

WA’s Best Regional Hospitality Venue

Treendale Farm Hotel

Perth’s Best Hospitality Venue (Joint winners)

SERVICE TO AUSTRALIA AWARDS

Perth Airport

Healthy Mind Menu Inc.