The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) Hospitality & Tourism Awards recognised its Canberra members and awarded the best bars, restaurants, hotels and individuals in the industry at Hotel Realm on Monday 22nd July.
RAKU was named the Best Restaurant in Canberra for 2019 but Anthony Brierley, General Manager of AHA ACT Branch said the competition was fierce.
“Our judge for Best Restaurant reported that, in the final analysis, RAKU, Sage and OTIS were neck and neck. As Canberrans, we’re so spoilt to have three venues of this extraordinary calibre!”
He said the food and beverage scene in Canberra has changed a lot over the years and the Awards is a chance to recognise the people and venues that work hard to put Canberra on the map as a great place to visit and live.
“We’re so lucky in Canberra. The quality of food and beverage venues right across the nation’s capital has come along leaps and bounds in recent years.
“Being able to highlight finalists and celebrate winners at our AHA ACT Awards is important in order to recognise the hard work that operators and employees put in every single day of the year. It’s one night of the year where we get to honour the venues and staff that make Canberra a great place to live and a great place to visit.”
Other venues to pick up awards were Buvette (Best wine list), Ducks Nuts Bar and Grill (Best TAB venue), The District (Best casual dining), Molto Italian (Best Italian restaurant), The Dock (Best sporting entertainment venue) and Molly (Best cocktail, lounge or small bar).
“One really pleasing winner was 1882 Bar & Grill, taking out Best Pub Eatery. While they were narrowly edged out in a few categories, this all-round style Award is one of the most cherished on the night.
“The emerging lesson from the 2019 Awards has been that the strength of our F&B scene is a direct consequence of the diversity of venues around town.
“Canberra genuinely has something for everyone. Canberrans looking for a lunch, dinner or night out in the city or the suburbs will be richly satisfied,” Brierley said.
The AHA represents and advocates for the licensed hospitality and tourism sector in Australia and is a member organisation.
Amelia Bidgood
Amelia is the Founder and Editor of Eat Canberra and the Founder and Managing Director of Eat Canberra Food Tours. She's a qualified journalist, presenter, freelance writer and also runs a boutique communications agency working with small business owners on all things social media, content creation and marketing. She's taught cheesemaking classes, judged hospitality and tourism awards, completed the WSET Level 1 Award In Wines, loves to cook and has travelled to 23 countries. She's also passionate about mental health and has recently started studying to become a Counsellor.