23 September 2008

Airlie Beach Hotel's Mangrove Jacks Cafe crowned best in State

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The Airlie Beach Hotel has added to its impressive list of industry awards after winning two gongs at the Queensland Restaurant and Catering Awards in Brisbane last week.

Mangrove Jacks was crowned Queensland's Best Casual Dining restaurant and Capers Bar/Grill won the award for Professional Development (under 100 staff).

Airlie Beach Hotel Manager Mark Bell said it was a great achievement for the hotel to have two of its restaurants recognised on a State level.

"Locals can take pride in knowing their town is home to one of the state's best restaurants - Mangrove Jacks," Mr Bell said.

"At Mangrove Jacks we always strive to provide great food, great service and a great atmosphere, and it is a real credit to our staff to be rewarded at this high level."

This is the second state award for Mangrove Jacks, having won a Queensland Hotels Association award in 1998.

Mr Bell said the professional development award for Capers Bar/Grill was in recognition of the many training programs and incentives that are in place for staff.

"We believe that our staff are pivotal to every aspect of the hotel's success. At Capers, we offer an extensive induction program for new staff and a series of formal training courses in areas such as customer service, health and safety and wine product knowledge."

All three restaurants at the Airlie Beach Hotel this year won accolades in the North Queensland division of the awards.

This included Cactus Jacks picking up an award for Best Informal Dining.

The judges are 'secret shoppers' who dine at all restaurants entered - the staff never know who and when the judge will be there.

For further information:

Mark Bell
Airlie Beach Hotel Manager
P 07 4964 1999

Sheree Lineham
Positive PR
P 0407 200899