SOLOTEL AWARDS 2025

TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER

 

The Solotel Awards 2025 celebrate the very best of our people, recognising the hard work, passion, and dedication shown across the last year. Built from our Reward & Recognition program – where peers nominate and vote for each other – these awards truly reflect the talent and spirit within our teams. 

We look forward to welcoming the finalists for an evening of celebration, connection and well-deserved recognition.

Please see categories and nominees below, please join us in congratulating them! 

 

 

 

 

AWARD CATEGORIES & NOMINEES

NEW CHEF OF THE YEAR 

Is passionate about their job and driven to provide the best guest experience possible through exceptional food. 

 

Jinhee An – Goros Sydney  

Bivu Bhandari - Opera Bar

Danish Dhanshe – Erko

Silvana Lagos - Chiswick 

THE INNOVATOR 

Cultivates creativity in every way and is always looking for new ways to make things happen.

 

Madeleine Armstrong - Sackville

Frederick Bell – Goros Sydney  

Alessandro Del Conte - Chophouse

Ruben Gutierrez – Oxford House

Alicia Elliot – Paddo Inn  

Stephane Vandaud – Kings Cross Hotel  

HEART & SOUL

People's Choice Award. Embodies Solotel's values in every way. 

 

Kat Annetts – Head Office

Ana Gonzalez - Strand

Marcella Guilfoyle - Norfolk

Rafael Magalhaes - Clock

Dean Naughton - Sackville

Deanna Pserras – Head Office  

GUEST GURU 

Has strong community connections. Knows the guest by first name and delivers every time.

 

Mahli Corban – Golden Sheaf

Camila Dias - House Canteen

Jess Ding - NBF

Larissa Moraes - Riverbar

Shane Mulligan – Barangaroo House  

Ella Nichols - Abercrombie

Antonio Penna - Chiswick 

THE LEGEND 

Part of the Solotel furniture but still stands out to this day. They have immense passion for what we do.

 

Jack Chisholm - Erko

Martin Conroy - Sackville

Nicole Jones – Head Office  

Jake Lackner - Regent

Joseph Maree - Clock

Rebecca Mifsud - Abercrombie

John Stack - Opera Bar

Tim Walker - Carousel Inn 

RISING STAR 

Enables growth. One to watch. A future Solotel leader.

 

Miles Anderson – Darlo Bar

Calvin Bradley – Riverbar

Maddison Collins – Carousel Inn

Jenna Dale - Paddo Inn

Briana Emerson – Barangaroo House  

Itziar Santos - House Canteen 

GAMING GURU 

Lives and breathes all things gaming* available for gaming venues only

 

Pailin Daemion – Golden Sheaf

Sasithorn Glinsorn - Sackville

Kylee Graham - Carousel Inn

Juthada Nilsuwan - Regent

Michelle Wu - Bridgeview 

BEVERAGE GURU

Cultivates creativity through being the mast of their craft (beer, wine or spirits)

 

Salvatore Persico – Barangaroo House  

Rodrigo Nasif - Chophouse

Brodie Towner - Paddo Inn

Max Groh - Chophouse  

Mimi Mrazikova – Aria  

CHEF OF THE YEAR

 

David Coumont - NBF

Samundra Kandel - Public House

Rob Phillips - Bridgeview

Griff Pamment – Oxford House  

Ruby Vaiphei - Abercrombie

Rhys Watson Lamb – Barangaroo House  

Naomi Xavier – Opera Bar  

MANAGER OF THE YEAR 

 

Geordie Hawkins - Golden Sheaf

Scott Kim – Chophouse

Beth Macpherson - Courthouse

Ceire Quinn - Camelia Grove

Oban Seex - Sackville