Reason to celebrate - Great Southern businesses up for top hospitality titles after challenging year

Going above and beyond the call of duty for customers is all in a day’s work for two Great Southern businesses named as finalists in the 2020 Australian Hotels Association WA Hospitality Awards.

After a year of challenges across all industries, hospitality operators have been given a reason to celebrate, with venues recognised in 41 award categories.

Denmark’s Boston Brewing Co has scooped a finalist spot in five categories, including outdoor area, boutique brewery, and regional casual pub dining.

Boston’s Laura Credaro has also been named a finalist in the front office and administration employee category.

Boston Brewing Co’s Victoria Park venue has also been named a finalist in four categories, including new venue.

Albany’s Rustlers Steakhouse and Grill was named a finalist in six categories, including bar team and venue manager for Jamie Puls.

Rustlers’ Louwana Dowling has made the finals for excellence in service; Emily Turner for cookery services employee; and Fergus Gugenhei for food and beverage services employee.

Both south coast venues have made the finals for the family dining award category.

AHA chief executive Bradley Woods said the awards were an opportunity to recognise the staff who went the extra mile.

“Hotels and hospitality venues throughout WA have faced their most challenging year in living memory but the response we have received to these awards demonstrates their unwavering strength in the face of adversity,” he said.

“COVID-19 presented extreme challenges and we are certainly not out of the woods just yet, but our industry can be proud of the leadership role it played in both reopening the State’s economy and in ensuring people can get back out in their community to socialise safely.”

The winners will be announced at Crown Perth on November 16.