Queenstown restaurant Public Kitchen and Bar is celebrating in style this week after taking out the title of Best New and Emerging Business Award at the 2014 Westpac Queenstown Business Excellence Awards.

More than 300 people from the local business community attended the glamour event at Skyline Restaurant on Saturday November 8 which saw local businesses crowned ‘best-of-the-best’.

In an enviable waterfront position at Steamer Wharf on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Public opened just 12 months ago in the site previously occupied by Wai Restaurant and continues to be owned and operated by Alex Boyes, Jan Rae and Martin and Megan James.

“As first time entrants we’re stoked and hugely honoured to have our business recognised in the awards that celebrate excellence in local business,” said Ms Rae speaking on behalf of the owners and team.

“After 27 years of owning restaurant businesses in Queenstown we’ve received many hospitality awards, but this is the first time we’ve achieved a business award. It makes me feel very grown up,” said Ms Rae.

Public –as it’s fondly known by its regulars-came about after a “pineapple lump moment” 14 months ago when the owners took the brave -some said crazy- decision to close successful fine-dining restaurant Wai Dining. 

“The concept for Public came while eating a bag of Kiwi Pineapple Lumps. Honestly. It just dawned on us that people – no matter how much they love fine-dining – still love the good old classic Kiwi favourites,” she said.

“Our goal right from the start was to be one of Queenstown’s leading restaurants offering a great blend of Kiwi hospitality and celebrating the wonderful local produce available to us in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful locations.”

“We’re all about local produce caught in the hills, farmed down the road, caught off the coast or brewed on our doorstep. The eclectic mix of furniture, indoor and outdoor dining and drinking spaces all combine to provide for a warm and friendly Kiwi dining experience.”

On the night, Queenstown Chamber of Commerce CEO Ann Lockhart referred to the high calibre of entries for the prestigious business awards. 

“All the finalists are true leaders in the Queenstown business community, businesses who lead with innovative thinking, push the boundaries and succeed in spite of the challenges,” said Ms Lockhart.

Westpac commercial manager and head judge Mike Sutherland said “the judges were incredibly impressed by all the entrants this year and it was a tough decision deciding on a winner”.

“In this category there were various types of businesses which made it even harder. However overall we felt Public had a fantastic business and submission"

“Public’s shared Kiwi dining concept which looks to change the way people dine was exciting".

“The owners’ leadership and what was represented as a profitable and sustainable business also impressed the judges,” said Mr Sutherland on behalf of the judging panel.