By Clyde Mooney
On Wednesday night the crème of the liquor industry ventured through the cavernous Luna Park welcome to walk the red carpet of the country’s premier hospitality event, the Australian Liquor Industry Awards (ALIA).
Professionals and suppliers from the industry ventured from all over the country to acknowledge the winners of fifty-one categories ranging from budget booze to super supplier.
In a glittering room decorated in a tribute to this year’s music theme, Larry Emdur hosted a night filled with entertainment and accolades for nearly eight-hundred people, many dressed in costumes depicting a cross-section of the entertainment-inspired theme.
The highlight of the night was the major awards, with the who’s who of hospitality nominated for the top eleven categories.
Taking out the coveted ‘Supplier of the Year’ prize, was the highly motivated Pernod Ricard Australia, who brought a number of Kiss makeup-adorned revellers to collect their trophy.
The other major awards were taken out by:
The Beresford - Hotel of the Year
Black Pearl - Bar of the Year
Bruce Solomon - Publican of the Year
Chris Hysted - Bartender of the Year
Merivale - Group Operator of the Year
Smirnoff Signature Serves - New Product of the Year
Jack Daniel’s - Liquor Brand of the Year
Jim Beam – The Dilemma - Liquor Promotion of the Year
Liquor Barons - Retail Banner Group of the Year
Liquor Barons Greenwood - Liquor Store of the Year
