The Shout Magazine (New Zealand)

Drink beer & do good philosophy wins in Taranaki

Microbrewery and eatery, Shining Peak Brewery, picked up five top awards, including Supreme Establishment at the 2022 Restaurant Association of New Zealand’s Taranaki hospitality awards on September 5.

Located in an industrial art deco warehouse, the philosophy is to drink beer and do good with five percent of beer purchases going to local Taranaki charities. The venue also picked up awards for outstanding bar and ambience and design as well as accolades for its front of house team and bartender for Luke Anderson.

Ajinkya ‘AJ’ Jagdale (left) and Luke Anderson (right).

Ajinkya ‘AJ’ Jagdale was honoured with the Supreme Individual award.

Born and raised in Mumbai, India, drinking was not traditionally part of the culture in which he was brought up, but a new role as a glassie at The Powder Room bar in New Plymouth at the age of 18 was the start of a long and fruitful career in the hospitality industry.

AJ is co-owner of the Hour Glass which also picked up the award for Outstanding wine and beverage list.

Restaurant Association CEO Marisa Bidois says that as hospitality starts its recovery from several challenging years, it is encouraging to see long-established attractions joined by new and emerging venues. “Taranaki is becoming a popular tourist destination attracting both domestic and international visitors so it’s no surprise to see new and innovative hospitality venues cropping up.”

“The Restaurant Association is dedicated to supporting the hospitality industry, providing support to business owners and the future leaders of our industry. The awards give us an opportunity to promote the local hospitality community, bringing people together to recognise our achievements in what continues to be unpredictable times. It is more important than ever to connect and celebrate one another’s success.”

Taranaki Hospitality Awards 2022 Winners:

Restaurant Association Outstanding Barista

Darcy Holden, Proof & Stock Coffee

Restaurant Association Outstanding Bartender

Luke Anderson, Shining Peak Brewery

Antipodes Water Outstanding Front of House Team

Shining Peak Brewery

WITT Emerging Chef

Aidan Davis, Snug Lounge

Bidfood Outstanding Chef

Jeremy Webling, Fork N Knife

Simply Squeezed Outstanding Café

Wild Pear Kitchen

Dinefind Outstanding Bar

Shining Peak Brewery

OneMusic Outstanding Ambience & Design

Shining Peak Brewery

Feastival Taranaki Outstanding Regional Establishment

Toret – Cucina Italiana

Shining Peak Brewery Outstanding Restaurant

Toret – Cucina Italiana

Known Unknown Outstanding Wine & Beverage List

The Hour Glass

KDJ Catering Outstanding Sales Rep

Kester Randall, Bidfood New Plymouth

South Taranaki District Council Outstanding Food & Beverage Producer

Juno Gin

Eftpos NZ Outstanding Supplier

Bidfood New Plymouth

Mediaworks Outstanding People’s Choice

Shining Peak Brewery

Gilmours Supreme Award – Individual

Ajinkya ‘AJ’ Jagdale, The Hour Glass

Gilmours Supreme Award – Establishment

Shining Peak Brewing

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