More than 1100 industry members came together on Monday 11 November for the presentation of the 2024 AHA(WA) & Coca-Cola Hospitality Awards for Excellence, honouring the state’s best pubs, bars, hotels and restaurants.
The awards ceremony was held at the Lion Gala Ball at Crown Perth, with WA’s leading venues and staff collecting awards across a variety of categories.
Three major awards were presented on the evening, with Tenfold Hospitality Group scooping the coveted WA’s Best Group Venue Operator Award.
C.Y. O’Connor Village Precinct in Piara Waters collected two awards, taking home the title of Perth’s Best Hospitality Venue in the major awards category, and later, Family Dining Award – Metropolitan.
John Dawkins, Managing Director and Co-owner of Tillbrook Melaleuka Group, which owns C.Y. O’Connor Village Precinct, said he was humbled by the recognition, and proud to be part of such a stimulating industry.
“We have enormous respect for anyone who is able to succeed in hospitality but to be considered one of the best in a place that does it so well is truly humbling. There are so many great venues that continue to raise the bar despite the barriers put in their way. More than that though, we are so very grateful to all of our wonderful people.
“It has been a very difficult few years culminating in rebuilding and reopening the precinct during a construction and staffing crisis. The loyalty and character everyone showed by digging in without complaint and fighting to get us back into a good position cannot be overstated.”
Katey Jane Dawkins, Co-owner of Tillbrook Melaleuka Group, put the wins down to the multi-faceted food offering at C.Y. O’Connor Village Precinct, which incorporates produce from Melaleuka Farm, also owned by the family.
“Our ambition was to create a suite of unique experiences incorporating our farm-to-table approach that, when combined, could cater to almost every food and beverage need our community desires,” she told Australian Hotelier.
“Our hope is that the diversity of experiences well-suited to our community and the links back to our farming history are what allowed us to be in the running.”
The third major award, WA’s Best Regional Hospitality Venue, was handed to Settlers Tavern in Margaret River, who also took home the Casual Pub Dining Award – Regional.
The benchmark for WA hospitality
Throughout the evening, an additional 40 awards were presented across four categories: general, dining, entertainment and employee; with WA’s top pubs and hotel groups among the recipients.
Grand Central Tavern accepted the award for Draught Beer Quality, while Nokturnl accepted the New Hospitality Venue Award for its large-scale Stories precinct, as well as the Marketing and Promotions Awards.
In the dining awards category, Eaton Tavern and The Wray Hotel in Fremantle were awarded Family Dining – Regional and Casual Pub Dining – Metropolitan respectively.
Pubs scooped three out of four entertainment awards, with the TAB Hotel/PubTAB Venue Award going to The Gate Bar and Bistro, while Last Slice Dalyellup accepted the award for Sporting Entertainment Venue and The National Hotel was awarded the Live Entertainment Award.
Bradley Woods, AHA(WA) CEO, congratulated all the winning businesses and individuals, saying they set the benchmark for quality, service and the pursuit of excellence in WA.
“The winners represent the pinnacle of our state’s vibrant hospitality scene and were narrowed down from a remarkable 530 nominations across more than 40 award categories,” he stated.
“Recipients include small bars, casual pubs, boutique breweries, elevated dining restaurants – and everything in between – as well as hard-working staff who create memorable experiences that keep guests returning again and again.
“By honouring the achievements of venues and employees, the awards aim to inspire the entire sector, encouraging a commitment to exceptional hospitality that drives tourism, strengthens our economy and positions our state as a must-visit destination,” he concluded.
