Wellington’s Ortega Fish Shack lands city’s supreme hospitality award

Ortega Fish Shack has landed the supreme award at this year’s Felix Wellington Hospitality Awards.

Applauded as a fine-dining favourite with “a laid back, good time vibe” by award organisers, the Restaurant Association of New Zealand, Ortega collected four accolades including best restaurant and best front of house team.

The restaurant’s maitre’d Davey Macdonald was named outstanding hospitality professional in Sunday evening’s awards, held at Te Papa Museum.

Julie Clark, co-owner of Wellington eateries Loretta, Floriditas and Floriditas Bakery, was honoured with the supreme individual award for her legacy in the Wellington hospitality industry.

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Taylor Annals of Egmont St Eatery was named the city’s top chef, while Customs Coffee Supreme’s Tim Norris was announced as outstanding barista.

Hawthorn Lounge won a hat-trick of awards, claiming outstanding cocktail experience, outstanding bar and best bartender for Meghan Webb.

Visa Wellington on a Plate also announced the winners of its festival on Sunday night, as judged by more than 12,000 foodies who ate and drank throughout the month-long festival.

Neo Cafe & Eatery was named Dine Wellington winner for its ‘Flat White Project’. Boulcott Street Bistro claimed top honours in the cocktail category for its Martinborough Martini, which was accompanied by a crayfish éclair.

And Chaat Street won the Burger Wellington category with its Dabeli burger, featuring a spiced potato patty with crispy chickpea noodles and tamarind chutney on a masala butter brioche bun.

“Every year the judges are blown away by the creativity and talent in Wellington’s hospitality industry, their continued innovation is what keeps us driving forward and firmly establishes us as New Zealand’s culinary capital,” said festival director Sarah Meikle.

Next year, Wellington on a Plate will be split in two, with the festival events and pop-ups held in May, while Burger Wellington and Beervana will be held in August.

Felix Wellington Hospitality Award winners

• Outstanding Restaurant: Ortega Fish Shack
• Outstanding Chef: Taylor Annals, Egmonth St Eatery
• Outstanding Barista: Tim Norris, Customs Coffee Supreme
• Outstanding Cafe: Customs Coffee Supreme
• Supreme Individual: Julie Clark

Wellington on a Plate winners

• The Next Gen Cook Off at Everybody Eats: Tak Tanaka, Field & Green
• Dine Wellington: The Flat White Project, Neo Cafe & Eatery
• Burger Wellington: Dabeli, Chaat St
• Cocktail Wellington: The Martinborough Martini, Boulcott St Bistro