Local food heroes celebrated at Canterbury hospo awards

Jake Kenny Reporter from Community News

Whether you're into fine dining, fast food, beer and wine or eating sustainably, Christchurch has the place for you.

The city’s reputation as a hospitality hub is steadily growing as new food spots crop up while established spots continue to prosper.

The latest batch of outstanding hospitality venues were recognised at the Canterbury Hospitality Awards on Monday evening.

Popular wine bar Cellar Door was named supreme establishment of the year; barbecue joint Smokey T's claimed the people’s choice award; Child Sister won the outstanding café award and OGB won best bar for the fourth year running.

The Vagabond Chefs won the community award for their efforts following the Covid-19 alert level 4 lockdown. They contributed regular donations of resources and food to Christchurch City Mission and KidsCan to help those most in need.

In the individual categories, Inati eatery chef Simon Levy took out outstanding chef of the year, Charles Guillotine Gillet of The Last Word claimed bartender of the year, whilst barista of the year went to Fumihiko Takai of Espresso Studio by Fushoken, in Riverside Market.

Click the 'Read more' link below for the full list of winners.

More messages from your neighbours

The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand

Summer Kiwi Quiz - 2026

Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Summer Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!

Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024! Each bundle includes: an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven, Ooni Karu 2 Carry Cover, Ooni 12" Perforated Peel, Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer and an Ooni Cookbook: Cooking with Ooni. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here

The Team at Stuff Enter Here