We’re delighted to share that Sawyers Arms Tavern Geelong is a finalist for Best Pub Restaurant - Regional in the AHA (Vic) State Awards For Excellence.

This award category recognises excellence in hotels providing a first-class dining experience through their restaurant offer. Finalists must provide full table service for food and beverage and be of a significantly high quality with obvious points of difference to a general bistro offer or casual dining offer.

Judges of the AHA (Vic) State Awards For Excellence base their assessment for this award on the following:

Hotel

• Décor, design, ambience, atmosphere, lighting and comfort

• Quality and appearance of the venue (furniture, table setting, crockery, cutlery, glassware)

• Popularity of venue and alignment to local market

• Pricing relevant to local market, quality of the restaurant and fine dining experience

• Hygiene and cleanliness (all areas including restrooms)

Beverage

• Excellent variety of wines to include regional, Victorian and interstate wines

• A reasonable variety of wines offered by the glass

• A variety of beers local and imported available

• A variety of non-alcoholic beverages offered

• Wine description to enhance menu

Staff and Service

• Excellent customer service

• Staff presentation and quality of interaction

• Staff knowledge of all products is a must with the ability to suggest food and wine pairings

• Efficiency of order taking, meal delivery, table clearing

• Staff efficiency and ability to be discreet

• Staff well-groomed

• Knowledge of Responsible Service of Alcohol

• Telephone technique

Menu

• Presentation

• Seasonal variation

• Value for money

• Integration of specials

Food

• Relative price

• Presentation, innovation, accuracy & composition of dishes

• Originality, selection & variety of menu

• Quality of dish

The AHA (Vic) State Awards for Excellence winners will be announced at a gala dinner on Monday, 20 May 2024 at Melbourne’s Palladium at Crown. Wish us luck!