The Australian Hotels Association of WA has announced a record number of finalists for the 2017 AHA Hospitality awards for excellence.
Bunbury’s Rose Hotel will go up against 10 other finalists for the bar presentation and service award while it is one of five finalists in the retail bottleshop award and one of four finalists in the draught quality beer award.
The Bayview Bar in Bunbury is one of six finalists for the training initiative award while The Rose Hotel and The Prince of Wales Hotel are both finalists for the redeveloped venue award.
The Rose has also been named as a finalist for the conference and function award and the outstanding commitment to workforce development practices award.
All three businesses, Bayview Bar, The Rose and The Prince of Wales are among 17 finalists for the regional casual pub dining award while The Rose is also in the running to win the restaurant award.
The Eaton Tavern is one of three finalists for the TAB hotel award while The Prince of Wales could win the live entertainment venue award.
In the individual employee section of the awards, Breeanna Batrick from The Bayview Bar is a finalist for the food and beverage service employee award while The Rose Hotel are up for the bar team award.
AHA(WA) chief executive officer Bradley Woods said the annual hospitality awards for excellence recognises businesses from across the industry including accommodation hotels, pubs, bars and restaurants, as well as employees, that have operated at a superior level and have achieved outstanding results in a particular category.
“Western Australia’s hospitality sector is fast-changing, and the venues participating in these awards are evidence that the hotel and hospitality industry is still achieving results during challenging times,” Mr Woods said.
“In fact, they are working harder than ever to deliver world-class food, beverages, accommodation and service.”
On November 13, 42 awards will be presented to hospitality businesses and employees at the Iron Jack Gala Ball at Crown Perth, recognising the best that WA has to offer.
WA’s Best Steak Sandwich will also be announced on the night.
Bunbury’s Bayview Bar was named the best regional steak sandwich earlier in the year and it will directly compete with the best metropolitan steak sandwich – deemed to be from the Karalee on Preston in Como.