Owner overwhelmed as bar scoops pool
Havelock North tapas and wine bar Deliciosa won all five categories for which it was nominated at the 2012 Hawke's Bay Hospitality Awards last night.
"It's overwhelming," owner Sarah Watson said.
The Hawke's Bay hospitality industry was out in force for the glittering award ceremony at the Hawke's Bay Opera House.
A Lifetime Achievement Award for Service to the Hawke's Bay Hospitality Industry was presented for the first time this year.
It went to Basil Diack, for his 53 years serving up quality beer to locals.
Starting at the family-owned Victoria Hotel in 1957, Mr Diack made his mark on the industry by helping keep small operators profitable in a large brewery-dominated industry.
He went on to be involved with the Meeanee Hotel and in 1995, became a shareholder in Hawke's Bay Independent Breweries.
He also helped to develop the Filter Room and is still very much involved in the business.
Friend and colleague Dennis Buckley, from Shed 2, presented Mr Diack with the inaugural award.
Mr Diack's wife Jan, son Darren and daughter-in-law Cossete were present to help celebrate his achievement.
The award was a complete surprise to Mr Diack, who thought he was at the awards purely as a sponsor.
