More than 700 hospitality representatives have converged in the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens for the annual Tasmanian Hospitality Association awards for Excellence.
The quality and diversity of Tasmania’s hospitality sector was on full display, with the winners announced across 38 categories compromising the state’s best cafes, restaurants, accommodation providers, pubs, sporting clubs and tourism operators.
More than 200 venues from around the state submitted nearly 500 overall entries, a record number of nominations for the 2023 awards.
Of the 500 entires, two popular Launceston venues stood out with multiple victories.
Cataract on Paterson scooped the Outstanding Achievement in Training – backing up the national title in the same category early last year – as well Best Marketed Business, while employee George Riley was named hospitality industry rising star.
The Plough Inn also showcased its versatility in scoring a triple treat by being named Best Sports Bar and Best Outdoor Experience, before landing the Metro Hotel/Pub Tavern of the Year crown.
Five venues went back-to-back in the major award categories, showcasing Tassie’s crème de la crème of hospitality.
Furneaux, a French-inspired jewel on the North-East Coast, once again clinched the titles of Regional Best Stand Alone Restaurant and Restaurant of the Year.
In the urban sphere, The Tasman took out Metro Accommodation Venue of the Year honour for its luxury and service.
Meanwhile, the Great Lake Hotel secured the Regional Hotel/Pub/Tavern of the Year title for a second year of winning and The Plough Inn won best Metro Hotel/Pub/Tavern.
Saffire Freycinet maintained its dominance as the pinnacle of Deluxe Accommodation in the state while also being heralded in the Regional Accommodation Venue of the Year.
North Hobart’s Ogee was crowned the Best Fine Dining award and was subsequently dubbed Metro Restaurant of the Year.
The Premier’s Award for Contribution to the Community was awarded to Willie Smiths’ founder, Andrew Smith.
As the fourth-generation custodian of the orchard, Andrew has propelled the company brand into both national and international limelight – notably through a partnership with the Tasmania JackJumpers and as the dynamo behind the widely celebrated three-day Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival.
SEE THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS:
| Award | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| Premier’s Award for Contribution to the Community | Andrew Smith – Willie Smiths | ||
| Outstanding Acheivement in Training | Cataract on Paterson | Crowne Plaza Hobart | |
| Outstanding Contribution to your Local Community | The Oldwoolstore Apartment Hotel | Tall Timbers & Mures Tasmania | Australian Italian Club & Glenorchy Basketball |
| Best Marketed Business | Cataract on Paterson | The Shoreline Hotel | Hursey Seafoods |
| Excellence in Innovation, Sustainability & Energy Effiency Practices | Crowne Plaza | Callington Mill Distillery | |
| Best Unique Bar Experience | Gin (bar) | The Still | Alchemy Bar & Restaurant |
| Best Bar Experience | Rude Boy | Mary Mary | Empress Craft Beer |
| Best Retail Liquor Outlet | 9/11 Bottleshop Devonport | Cellarbrations Prospect Markteplace | Cellarbrations Kingston |
| Best Live Music or Entertainment Venue (Pubs/Taverns) | Longley International | Irish Murphy’s Hobart | Republic Bar & Café |
| Best Live Music or Entertainment Venue (Large Capacity) | Wrest Point Hotel | Country Club Tasmania | Tram Shed Function Centre |
| Best Tourism Initiative | Hadleys Orient Hotel | Callington Mill Distillery | The Cove |
| Best Draught Beer Quality | Communion Brewing Co | Shipwright Arms | Country Club Tasmania |
| Best Sports Bar | The Plough Inn | Granada Tavern | Beltana Hotel |
| Best Outdoor Experience | The Rooftop by The Plough Inn | Stabla | Sports Garden Hotel |
| Best New or Redeveloped Hospitality Venue | Franklin Wharf Hotel | Shipwright Arms | Becker Minty & Hursey Seafoods |
| Best Gaming Venue | Granada Tavern | Brooker Inn | Country Club Tasmania |
| Best RSL, Sporting or Community Club | The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania | The Cricket Hub Tasmania | The Motor Yacht Club of Tasmania |
| Best TAB Wagering Venue – Sponsored by TAB | Kings Meadows Hotel | Beach Hotel Burnie | Shoreline Hotel |
| Wine List of the Year | Peppina | Mures Upper Deck | Willing Bros |
| Hospitality Industry Rising Star | George Riley, Cataract on Paterson | ||
| Disability & Inclusion Access Award (Hospitality Venue) | The Vault Café Bar | Cataract on Paterson | The Grange Estate |
| Disability & Inclusion Access Award (Accommodation Venue) | Zero Davey Boutique Apartments | Crowne Plaza Hobart | Sixty Six Boutique Apartments |
| Best Budget Style Accommodation (up to 3 stars) | Georges Bay Apartments | Tullah Lakeside Lodge | Top of the Town |
| Best Mid-Range Style Accommodation (3-3.5 stars) | Queechy Motel & Tall Timbers | Great Lake Hotel | Leisure Inn Penny Royal |
| Best Superior Accommodation ( 4-4.5 stars) | Movenpick Hobart | Vibe Hotel Hobart | RACV Hobart Hotel |
| Best Deluxe Accommodation (5+ stars) | Saffire Freycinet | The Tasman, A Luxury Collection Hotel | The Cove |
| Best Self-Contained Apartments or Suites | Salamanca Inn | Sixty Six Boutique Apartments | Tall Timbers |
| Best Casual Dining | Frankie J’s | The Metz | T42 Hobart |
| Best Café | Angie Sue | Farzi | Earthy Eats |
| Best Restaurant (Stand Alone) | Furneaux Restaurant | Ogee | Cataract on Paterson |
| Best Restaurant (In a Hotel or Accommodation venue) | Tesoro & Peppina | The Homestead at Piermont | Mr Good Guy, Devonport |
| Best Fine Dining | Ogee | Landscape Restaurant & Grill | Stillwater Restaurant |
| Best International or Speciality Cuisine | Bar Wa Izakaya | Cultura | Furneaux Restaurant |
| Restaurant of the Year – Regional | Furneaux Restaurant |
| Restaurant of the Year – Metro | Ogee |
| Accommodation Venue of the Year – Regional | Saffire Freycinet |
| Accommodation Venue of the Year – Metro | The Tasman, A Luxury Collection |
| Hotel/Pub Tavern of the Year- Regional | Great Lake Hotel |
| Hotel/Pub Tavern of the Year – Metro | The Plough Inn |
