All the winners from the THA and TasTAFE Awards

TASMANIA’S newly crowned Chef of the Year was drawn to the state he says has the best ­produce.

chef

TASMANIA’S  newly crowned Chef of the Year Robin Kelly worked in Perth, Edinburgh and at a Michelin starred restaurant in London before he was drawn back to the state he says has the world’s best ­produce.

Mr Kelly, right, was awarded the industry’s top gong at the Tasmanian Hospitality ­Association Awards for Excellence at Wrest Point.

“It’s good to be recognised in this industry, it’s a lot of hard work. Not just me, but a lot of the chefs find it’s a hard industry to maintain,” he said.

Mr Kelly did his apprenticeship at Wrest Point in the ’90s and worked worldwide before returning to Tasmania and Wrest Point 13 years ago.

Hobart’s high-end restaurants excelled at the awards.

GALLERY: THA AWARD WINNERS 2015

As part of his prize Mr Kelly will travel to China for Savour Tasmania where he will help prepare a dinner for 300 delegates to promote Tasmanian produce. Mr Kelly also oversees training for apprentices at Wrest Point.

TasTAFE Apprentice of the Year was awarded to Adam Lockhart from the Country Club in Launceston.

Krystel Middap was announced as the Employee of the Year for her work at Pier 01 in Ulverstone. Hospitality Industry Rising Star was won by Ashleigh King who works at remote venue Hotel Bruny.

Spotlight on high-end restaurants

HOBART’S high-end restaurants and hotels have shone at this year’s Tasmanian Hospitality Association Awards for Excellence.

The Islington Hotel at South Hobart picked up a swag of awards and Frogmore Creek won best stand-alone restaurant and restaurant of the year.

Wrest Point, where the awards were hosted last night, won best meeting and event venue, and best music venue for its Showroom.

Newcomer The Glass House was awarded best seafood restaurant for its Brooke St Pier venue and another new restaurant, Twelve Stones at Pontville, took out best breakfast.

Henry Jones Art Hotel won metro hotel of the year and accompanying eatery Henry’s won best restaurant in an accommodation venue and the judge’s choice award for best wine list.

THA general manager Steve Old said the standard of professionalism and excellence was “higher than ever before”.

“This event showcases how strong and important this iconic industry is to the Tasmanian economy and tourism in general, with over 20,000 people employed in hospitality in the state,” he said.

A number of industry leaders were honoured, with Steve Salter awarded life membership for his 46-year career.

Mr Salter has dedicated his life to rural venues in areas including New Norfolk, Campbell Town and Dodges Ferry as well as Hobart staples Sir William Don and the Queens Head.

He is also president of the Liquor Industry Golf Club and the vice chairman of the THA Foundation.

“I wouldn’t be able to do this without my wife. She’s the person who should be up here, not me,” Mr Salter said.

Alexia Kalis received the Premier’s Award for Contribution to the Community for her work including being the inaugural chair of the THA Foundation, raising money for children in Tasmania who need assistance.

Premier Will Hodgman said: “Her amazing commitment to seeing the Myer development come to fruition is testament to her courage and faith in the local Tasmanian community and economy.”

The pioneer of Tasmania’s whisky industry Bill Lark was recognised with the Hospitality Minister’s Award for Contribution to the Industry.

Lark Distillery was established more than 23 years ago and is known around the world.

“The only reason I’m here today is because we decided to do this in Tasmania,’’ Mr Lark said. “Every step of the way I’ve been swept up in a wave of enthusiasm from the hospitality industry.’’

Hobart hoteliers and developers Garry Baker and Susan Catchpool were awarded the Bertie Tucceri Award. In 2008 the couple opened Rockwall Bar and Grill in Salamanca following a $300,000 transformation of the building.

TasTAFE chief executive Stephen Conway said the awards were an opportunity to acknowledge entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity, hard work and leadership and inspire the industry to improve and excel.

“Highly skilled hospitality professionals are essential to the Tasmanian economy and TasTAFE Drysdale is committed to working with the THA to ensure businesses are able to attract, engage and retain talented and skilled hospitality professionals,” he said.

More than 500 people attended the ceremony.

Winners

Life Membership: Steve Salter.

Premier’s Award for Contribution to the Community: Alexia Kalis.

Hospitality Minister’s Award for Contribution to the Industry: Bill Lark.

Bertie Tucceri Award: Susan Catchpool and Garry Baker.

TasTAFE Apprentice of the Year: Adam Lockhart.

Country Club Employee of the Year: Krystel Middap, Pier 01.

Hospitality Industry Rising Star: Ashleigh King, Hotel Bruny.

THA & ACF Tasmania Chef of the Year: Robin Kelly, The Point Revolving Restaurant.

Wrest Point Recognition of 2014 National Award — best restaurant accommodation division: Henry’s Restaurant.

Recognition of 2014 National Award — best/superior accommodation: Islington Hotel.

Recognition of 2014 National Award — best retail liquor outlet: Gasworks 9/11.

People’s Choice — best overall guest experience: Islington Hotel.

People’s Choice — best service: Islington Hotel.

People’s Choice — best rooms: Islington Hotel.

People’s Choice — best value: The Old Woolstore.

Tasmanian Wine List of the Year — judge’s choice: Henry’s Restaurant.

Tasmanian Wine List of the Year — people’s Choice: Ball & Chain Grill.

Outstanding Achievement in Training and Workforce Development: The Vantage Group.

Outstanding Community Service and Achievement: The Old Woolstore.

Best Environmental and Energy Efficiency Practice: The Ugly Duck Out.

Best Outdoor/Non-enclosed Facility: Southern Lights Hotel.

Best Marketed Establishment: Tall Timbers Tasmania.

Best Bottle Shop: Shoreline Hotel.

Best RSL, Sporting or Community Club: Ulverstone Golf Club.

Best Meeting and Events Venue: Wrest Point.

Best Bar Presentation and Service: Grape Bar.

Best Sports Bar: Tall Timbers Tasmania.

Best Music Venue: Wrest Point Showroom.

Best Gaming Venue: Country Club Tasmania.

Best Wagering Initiative: Mackey’s Royal Hotel.

Best Guided Tour Experience: Tall Timbers Tasmania.

Best Specialty Bar: Bruny Island House of Whisky.

Best Cafe: Pier 01.

Best Breakfast Venue: Twelve Stones.

Best Steak Restaurant: Black Cow Bistro.

Best Seafood Restaurant: The Glass House.

Best Asian Restaurant: Canton Restaurant.

Best Indian Restaurant: Pickled Evenings Restaurant.

Best Italian Restaurant: Da Angelo Ristorante.

Best Specialty Restaurant: Mures Upper Deck.

Best Informal Dining in a Licensed Venue: Beltana Hotel.

Best Restaurant in an Accommodation Venue: Henry’s Restaurant.

Best Stand Alone Restaurant: Frogmore Creek.

Best Fine Dining: The Source Restaurant.

Best Accessible Accommodation: Islington Hotel.

Best Pub-Style Accommodation: Doctor Syntax.

Best Mid-Range Accommodation: Quality Hotel Gateway.

Best Apartment Suite Hotel: Salamanca Inn.

Best Superior Hotel Accommodation: Hadley’s Orient Hotel.

Best Deluxe Hotel Accommodation: Saffire.

Restaurant of the Year: Frogmore Creek.

Hotel of the Year — Regional: Tall Timbers Tasmania.

Hotel of the Year — Metro: Henry Jones Art Hotel.

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