The Lockington Hotel team were very happy with their win. Photo: Supplied.
The best of Victoria’s hospitality industry attended the Australian Hotels Association State Awards for Excellence in Melbourne on Monday night.
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Among the more than 1200 attendees were a few familiar faces from Echuca’s American Hotel and the Lockington Hotel.
Both businesses were winners on the night as the American claimed the best outdoor experience — regional award and the Locky Hotel was named bush pub of the year.
American Hotel owner Dean Oberin said it was an honour to be recognised for the work they did.
“It’s nice to be recognised. It’s nice to also see all the other great hospitality businesses and all the friends you make along the way,” he said.
“In particular, it’s great recognition for the work that the whole team at the American Hotel does.
“It’s nice to be recognised for what we do, it’s great for the town and it’s great for hospitality.”
Richard Pattenden, Maddison Flannigan, Tori Oberin and Dean Oberin represented the American Hotel at the awards. Photo: Supplied.
The American’s outdoor space was refurbished throughout the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, transforming the former car park into a spacious area to dine and enjoy a drink.
The business then continued to build on the renovations with the development of Harry O’s Barbecue and container bar complete with a new decking area, plants, lighting and a stage for live entertainment.
Mr Oberin said although the space was now ‘celebrated’, the outdoor area was still a work in progress as they continued to enhance the space.
Similarly, the Lockington Hotel has also undergone major changes in recent years, with refurbished accommodation, terrace area and beer garden.
The pub’s food and beverage range has also cemented the pub as a regional favourite.
The Lockington Hotel team. Photo: Supplied.
Lockington Hotel chef Simon Poynting said it was an “unreal” experience to win the award.
“It was a bit surreal ... the whole team’s done amazing and to get that recognition, best bush pub for Victoria, from the AHA Association was amazing,” he said.
“We’ve got the the big trophy now to put on the wall somewhere and a smaller one showing that we were finalists in two categories too.
“I’m sure we’ll have plenty of people popping in wishing us all the best over the next couple of weeks.”
Mr Poynting was also in the running for chef of the year alongside 12 other chefs, but unfortunately didn’t win the title this time around.
Throughout the night, 42 other hospitality venues were awarded for a range of categories.
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