Fusee Rouge from Cromwell has won the best cafe award at the 2022 Hospitality Awards for Excellence.

Cafe manager Alaskia Hansen and owner Nicola Brockie proudly accepted the award hand in hand feeling “shocked and relieved”.

“The amount of hard work our team put in to make this happen is unreal. We are just so proud to bring this award home to our team and our town. Cromwell represent,” Alaskia said.

The cafe made the list of finalists last year, and the pair said they were thrilled to come away with the win this year. 

For the best cafe award, judges are looking for a venue that delivers an exceptional experience for their guests, exceeding their expectations. To reach the final list of five the venue must emulate the best of the best.

Other finalists for best café were 11th Avenue by Frank’s, Queenstown; Bonobo Café, Christchurch; Rusty Radiator Diner Café, Halcombe and The Wholemeal Café, Takaka.

Alaskia was also nominated for an award as a future leader of hospitality. This was won by Ashleigh Gee from Miss Gee’s Bar & Eatery, Tauranga.

Fusee Rouge is at 64B The Mall in Cromwell and employs a team of six. The team there takes pride in serving amazing coffee, food, craft beer, local wine and good vibes.

Fusee Rouges’ donuts are legendary. This is the biscoff (biscuit and coffee) cookie donut, with a caramelised flavour and crunchy texture

The awards were announced at a black-tie dinner event at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Auckland on July 27, the final night of the two-day 2022 New Zealand Hospitality Conference.

The awards celebrate the success, achievements and – especially in light of the tough year the industry has just experienced – the resilience of the hospitality and accommodation sector, where the best of the best are recognised.

There were a record 260 entries, the 24th time the awards have been held.

The awards featured five finalists for each of the 24 awards, including from over 200 venues, a record number of venues and entries. 

Hospitality NZ chief executive Julie White said for many businesses and operators, just being able to enter was a small miracle in itself after the tough year they’ve had.

“The competition was fiercer even than last year, which is a testament to the resilience the industry has shown through the pandemic.

“It was almost as if everyone lifted again. Every hospitality and accommodation business and every worker out there deserved their own medal for the guts and perseverance they showed.”

It was the first time in three years the Awards for Excellence have been held in person, due to Covid-19 restrictions. They were held online last year after being cancelled in 2020.