Winners: Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) Awards for Excellence

Eateries across the state have been recognised at the Tasmanian Hospitality Association’s annual awards night, with a Hobart hole-in-the-wall haunt making a splash. WINNERS LIST

Ogee manager Rachelle Guastella and chef Matt Breen. For TasWeekend Indulge. Picture: Supplied.

A Hobart hole-in-the-wall haunt has been crowned Tasmania’s best restaurant after just one year in business.

Ogee secured the top sport in the metro category at the Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) Awards for Excellence on Wednesday night, before claiming the Best Fine Dining Award in an accolades sweep for the North Hobart newcomer.

The 28-seat bistro focuses on traditional French and Italian cuisine while drawing inspiration from top-notch Tasmanian produce.

Diners at Ogee in Hobart. For TasWeekend Indulge. Picture: Supplied.

The THA event, held at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, also celebrated the industry’s seasoned professionals – long-time favourites of their respective communities.

Launceston’s near-200-year-old pub, The Plough Inn – was deemed Best Sports Bar, Best Outdoor Experience and Best Hotel/Pub of the Year.

Ever-popular Saffire Freycinet held on to its title of Best Deluxe Accommodation Venue in Tasmania and took home Accommodation Venue of the Year in the regional category.

Emma Davis from Society Salamanca and Raincheck Lounge with Mat Cilia from Saffire Freycinet. Both were part of a leadership training program for the hospitality and tourism industry. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Great Lake Hotel secured the regional title of Best Hotel/Pub Tavern of the Year.

THA chief executive Steve Old said the event “showcased the best hospitality businesses across the state” in an “exceptional” night.

“The quality and volume of the nominations this year reached unprecedented levels – our casual dining award had 58 nominations alone – and in most of the categories the judges found it extremely difficult to split the votes,” he said.

More than 200 Tasmanian venues were nominated for this year’s awards, a record number for the statewide industry’s night of nights.

All winners will go on to represent Tasmania at the Australian Hospitality Association national awards on November 27.

The full list of winners can be found here.

Originally published as Winners: Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) Awards for Excellence