QT Canberra’s signature restaurant Capitol Bar & Grill won the ‘Best Wine List’ and scored a threepeat of the ‘Best Steak’ award at the Australian Hotels Association ACT Hospitality & Tourism Awards 2023 this week. The annual awards recognise leaders in the hospitality and tourism sector in ACT.
Led by restaurant manager Ashleigh Smith, the award-winning wine list features over 300 diverse and seasonal wines which hero Canberra District growers. It continues to shine following recognition with three glasses at the 29th Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards this September.
Capitol’s focus on its protein program is consistently gaining momentum and recognition for excellence. Boasting a dry-aged cabinet brimming with proteins sourced from passionate suppliers, Capitol delivers the finest steaks in Canberra with wines to match.
With Executive Chef Michael Box at the helm, this is the third year in a row the venue has received the Best Steak award from AHA ACT. This follows recent category success, having been awarded best ‘Steak Restaurant’ last month at the Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence 2023.
General Manager Joel Gordon expressed his elation with the industry recognition.
“I’m immensely proud of the team,” Mr Gordon said. “This reflects dedication and passion applied to delivering the finest produce and an exceptional guest experience.”
Renowned Canberra publican, Peter Barclay or King O’Malley’s, received the John Press Award.
Multiple award winners
Jamala Wildlife Lodge at the National Zoo & Aquarium continued its award-winning run, being named Deluxe Hotel of the Year, and Best Restaurant (Accommodation).
Another multiple award winner on the night was the BentSpoke Brew Pub, which took home three accolades – Best Traditional Pub, Inn or Tavern; Best Draught Beer Quality (alongside ANU’s Badger & Co); and Employee Excellence in Service for Simon Buchanan.
Luna, in the Sydney Building, also won three awards: Chef of the Year – Adrianne Davo; Best Bar (Presentation & Service); Best New or Redeveloped Venue (General).
East Hotel took home three awards, too: All Abilities Hotel of the Year; Superior Hotel of the Year; and Accommodation Member of the Year – Todd Handy.
Exceptional staff at Mercure Belconnen Canberra scored two awards for their employer: Housekeeper of the Year – Erica Saunders; and Human Resources Talent – Lynda Bailey.
The award winners were:
- Bartender of the Year – Gabby Brown, Molly Bar
- Housekeeper of the Year, Erica Saunders, Mercure Belconnen Canberra
- Human Resources Talent – Lynda Bailey, Mercure Belconnen Canberra
- Best Sales & Marketing Talent, Aimie Maclaine, Lala Hospitality Group
- Employee Excellence in Service (General) – Simon Buchanan, Bentspoke Brewing
- Employee Excellence in Service (Accommodation) – Katrina Li, Midnight Hotel
- Chef of the Year – Adrianne Davo, Luna
- Best Wine List – QT Canberra
- Best Bar (Presentation & Service) – Luna
- Best Family Friendly Venue – Public Bar
- Best Late-Night Entertainment Venue – 88mph
- Best Wagering Venue – Casino Canberra
- Best Sporting Entertainment Venue – The Dock
- Best Cocktail, Lounge or Small Bar – Bar Beirut
- Best Conference & Functions Venue – Hotel Realm
- Best Draught Beer – Quality Bentspoke and Badger & Co Brewers Association
- Best Outdoor Dining Experience – Edgars Inn
- Best New or Redeveloped Venue (General) – Luna
- Best Work Health and Safety Venue – Casino Canberra
- Best Innovation, Sustainability and Environmental Practice – DOMA Hotels
- Best Traditional Pub, Inn or Tavern – Bentspoke Brewing
- Best Steak – QT Canberra
- Best Burger – The District
- Best Pub Eatery – Public Bar
- Best Casual Dining Venue – Ostani
- Best Restaurant (General) – Pomegranate
- Best Restaurant (Accommodation) – Jamala Wildlife Resort
- Mid-Range Hotel of the Year – Ramada
- All Abilities Hotel of the Year – East Hotel
- Superior Hotel of the Year – East Hotel
- Apartment/Suite Hotel of the Year – Burbury
- Deluxe Hotel of the Year – Jamala Wildlife Resort
- Accommodation Member of the Year – Todd Handy, East Hotel
- John Press Award – Peter Barclay, King O’Malley’s.
For more information about the AHA ACT Hospitality & Tourism Awards, visit actaha.org.au.
