Best Steak

JUDGING (100% ANONYMOUS SITE INSPECTION)

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

OVERVIEW

You must nominate the steak you wish to be judged; this steak must be on the current
food menu.

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)

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 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 with the capability of food and wine matching with dishes offered
  • Efficiency of order taking, meal delivery, table clearing
  • Staff well-groomed
  • Service consistent with a restaurant experience

STEAK CRITERIA

  • Overall steak elements (presentation, accuracy, appearance, tenderness, variety, quality, temperature, and flavour)
  • Serving portion accurate
  • Quality of condiments, side dishes, sauces accompanying the steak
  • Pricing relevant to local market and quality of the steak experience
  • 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