Best Cheap Eat Meal (under $20) - NEW

JUDGING (100% ANONYMOUS SITE INSPECTION)

VOUCHER OR JUDGING FUNDS REQUIRED: to fund a meal and beverages for two adults to cover the cost of judging. 

OVERVIEW

To be eligible to enter this category, food must be ordered and paid for over the bar, bistro or via at-table ordering platforms (i.e., me&u). Meals may be delivered by staff using table numbers, collected by patron using a buzzer or other methods. It must be clear that this is a casual dining experience and not a restaurant experience.

GENERAL CRITERIA

  • Décor, design, ambience, atmosphere, lighting, and comfortability
  • Quality and appearance of the venue (furniture, table setting, crockery, cutlery, glassware)
  • Popularity of venue and alignment to local market
  • Hygiene and cleanliness (all areas including restrooms)
  • Promotion and marketing of food specials

FOOD AND BEVERAGE CRITERIA

  • Food and beverage experience and offerings (presentation, accuracy, appearance, variety, and quality)
  • Pricing relevant to local market, quality of the restaurant and dining experience
  • Evidence of daily specials for food and beverage

SERVICE CRITERIA

  • Excellent customer service
  • Staff presentation and quality of interaction (willingness to make recommendations)
  • Staff knowledge of all products
  • Efficiency of order taking, meal delivery, table clearing
  • Staff well-groomed
  • Service consistent with a restaurant experience

CHEAP EAT MEAL CRITERIA

  • Integration of specials, promotions and food offerings incorporated into the menus, and evident via signage within the venue
  • Menu/food experience and offerings (presentation, accuracy, appearance, variety and quality)
  • Value for money

Categories

PROPERTY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

The following categories are judged by written submission. Entries are limited to ONE nomination per venue in each category:

PEOPLE AWARDS 

The following categories are judged firstly by written submission, and then by an interview. Entries are limited to ONE nomination per venue in each category.

Interview guidelines

Applicants are awarded on their performance with the nominating property, over the qualifying period 1 January 2024 – 2 May 2025. The candidate must be available to appear for an interview via zoom between 2 June - 25 July 2025. Applicants require a minimum of 6 months employment with the nominating property.

EXPERIENCE AWARDS

The following categories are judged 100% by anonymous site inspection some which require vouchers or funds to be provided to cover the cost of judging. Entries are limited to ONE nomination per venue in each category:

Judging voucher information guidelines

Best Live Music Venue is judged 25% written submission, 25% interview & 50% site visit) . Entries are limited to ONE nomination per venue in each category:

FOOD AWARDS 

The following categories are judged 100% by anonymous site inspection, which require vouchers or funds to be provided to cover the cost of judging. Entries are limited to ONE nomination per venue in each category:

Judging voucher information guidelines

ACCOMMODATION AWARDS 

The following categories are judged 100% by anonymous site inspection, which require vouchers or funds to be provided to cover the cost of judging. Entries are limited to ONE nomination per venue in each category:

Judging voucher information guidelines

OVERALL HOTEL AWARDS  - nominations are not required 
  • People’s Choice - NEW
  • Hotel of the Year - Accommodation Division
  • Hotel of the Year - General Division