CELEBRATING TARANAKI’S FINEST

The Taranaki Food & Drink Awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and leadership across one of the most dynamic and influential sectors. Recognizing outstanding businesses, brands, products, and professionals, these awards shine a spotlight on those who are setting new standards in quality, customer experience, sustainability, and operational excellence.

From restaurants, cafés, bars, and catering providers to manufacturers, suppliers, and hospitality innovators, the awards honor the individuals and organizations driving the industry forward. Our mission is to acknowledge achievement, inspire continuous improvement, and create a platform where excellence is recognized and celebrated.

More than just an awards program, the Food & Drink Awards bring together industry leaders, emerging talent, and pioneering businesses to showcase best practices, foster connections, and highlight success stories that shape the future of food and drink in our beautiful region.

Join us as we celebrate the passion, dedication, and innovation that make this industry thrive.

OUR BACKSTORY

In July 2025, a few of our committee members started to think about how to celebrate our industry in the region. There had not been an industry awards for three years, and we knew we had to do something to celebrate the excellence all around us.

With combined decades of working in our industry, we believe that celebrating the talent around us is what helps to continue building a beautiful community, and driving people to push for excellence.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to recognize, celebrate, and elevate excellence within the food and drink industry by honoring the businesses, products, and professionals who demonstrate outstanding achievement, innovation, and commitment to quality. We strive to inspire growth, encourage industry leadership, and showcase the individuals and organizations shaping the future of food and drink through passion, creativity, and excellence.

MEET THE COMMITTEE

A man with dark hair, beard, and sunglasses sitting at a restaurant table with a black shirt and a plaid jacket, surrounded by flowers and glassware, with a window overlooking green fields and cloudy sky in the background.

Chris Robinson

The Glue Holding It Together

I've spent more than 20 years in the hospitality industry, with one memorable 18-month attempt at escaping it somewhere along the way. As it turns out, hospitality has a funny way of pulling you back in. Once you've caught the hospitality bug, it's less of a career choice and more of a lifelong calling.

As Chief Executive Officer of New Plymouth Club, I'm passionate about creating exceptional experiences, building strong community connections, and supporting an industry that thrives on bringing people together. Hospitality is powered by hardworking, dedicated people who often work behind the scenes, and I believe those people deserve to be recognised and celebrated

Zak and I have worked together for several years, and when the opportunity came to help reignite the Taranaki hospitality scene, saying "no" simply wasn't an option. Taranaki is home to an incredible collection of venues, businesses and talented individuals who continue to raise the bar, and these awards exist to shine a spotlight on their achievements.

I'm proud to be part of celebrating the people, passion and innovation that make Taranaki hospitality such a special industry.

A man with a beard wearing a black shirt, gray apron, and cap standing in a commercial kitchen making peace signs with both hands while posing in front of a stove with pans and kitchen utensils hanging above. Plates with food, including spring rolls and fried eggs, are on the counter in front of him.

Zak Wilkinson

The Spark That Started It

After three years with no awards in our region, I knew that I had to just make it happen. The awards are such an awesome way to bring together an industry of people who really know the meaning of hard work. We are used to long, unsociable hours, so we should also have a time to be celebrated for the dedication we put in.

With over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry, I have built a strong reputation for operational excellence, customer service, and team leadership. As a hospitality professional and industry advocate, I am passionate about fostering growth, celebrating achievement, and supporting businesses that raise the standards of the food and beverage sector.

As a member of the Food & Drink Awards Committee, I am committed to recognizing the individuals and organizations that demonstrate innovation, dedication, and excellence. I believe that celebrating success not only rewards outstanding performance but also inspires the continued development of the industry as a whole.

Rachel Church

Shining the light on our region

Owner of Hosking House and founder of Feastival has been involved in hospitality since her first job at a bagel store at the age of 14 on Long Island. She has used her event management and hospitality skills to create Hosking House boutique accomodation with her partner in 2013 and create and run Feastival Taranaki since 2017. She is passionate about this region and its people.

I am excited to help bring this event to Taranaki and celebrate the talented, creative and hard working hospitality industry that make this place so vibrant and exciting. We are lucky to have such a fabulous hospitality scene and should celebrate those that make it happen.

A woman with long dark hair drinking red wine from a glass in a restaurant or bar, with a giraffe statue or decoration visible in the background.

Jenna Sisson

Keeping spirits high, and glasses full

Owner of The Hourglass. Hospitality has never just been a job for me, it's something I've genuinely loved for as long as I can remember. I'm curious by nature, especially about wine and spirits, always on the lookout for unique producers or rare cellar finds. I love introducing people to something they might never have chosen on their own. When I opened The Hourglass, my vision was simple. Create a space where quality comes first, where people feel comfortable whether they're celebrating something big or just unwinding after work. Every wine, spirit, and dish is chosen with care. I'm proud to be part of Taranaki's vibrant food and drink scene. Great hospitality isn't about being flashy, it's about genuine connection and making guests feel like they've had an experience worth coming back for. It's what keeps me inspired.

I wanted to be involved in the Taranaki Food and Drink Awards because it celebrates the heart of our region's hospitality. It's not just about winning. It's about recognizing the people and the stories behind every dish, every glass poured, and every late night shift. I love seeing local businesses get the spotlight they deserve and being part of that energy, feels pretty special.