Oscar’s pick up top gongs at hospitably awards

OSCAR’S Hotel & Cafe Bar on Doveton Street South has won big at the Victorian round of the Australian Hotels Association Awards for Excellence.

The boutique hotel and gastro pub took home the prize for Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional and Best Casual Dining – Regional from a recent event held in Melbourne.

Oscar’s was one of two local venues to be recognised by the AHA, with the Red Lion Hotel also winning for Excellence in Service.

Owners of Oscar’s, Danny and Nicky Quinlan down played down the achievement.

“We’re only a small, family business and it’s good recognition for what we’ve put in for the last 15 years,” Mr Quinlan said.

When the Quinlans’ took over the venue, they began repositioning the space from a traditional drinkers’ pub into its current format of good food, quality service and a great place to stay.

Ms Quinlan said the fact that the AHA enters the venues in the awards and all judging is blind was testament to the quality of the staff.

“We have a very positive young staff who are great to work with and we give them the freedom to deal with customers as they need to make sure we have happy customers,” she said.

“That’s all it’s about,” added Mr Quinlan.

“Keeping everybody happy.”

Both owners also praised the Ballarat community for their on-going support over the last 15 years.

“We’d like to thank the people of Ballarat too,” Ms Quinlan said. “We try and do the right thing and offer what they want and they’ve supported us.”