Pubs from Narrabri, Willow Tree, Armidale and Tamworth are finalists in the NSW Australian Hotels Association annual awards for excellence – and there’s some perennial high-achievers in the list this year again.

Charles Hanna’s Willow Tree Inn, 70km south of Tamworth, is back in the spotlight with finalist nominations in three separate categories, including for best country pub restaurant again.

Mr Hanna’s Graze restaurant at the pub was voted the best country pub noshery last year and is hoping to snag consecutive top spots with a win again in 2015.

Organisers say it’s one of the night’s most coveted awards, and the best restaurants in the city and country categories recognise those hotels who have strategically responded to the growing gastronomic trends in the NSW pub landscape. 

The Crossroads Hotel at Narrabri, developed by former Tamworth couple Campbell and Narree McIntosh, has again scooped nominations. It is a finalist in country hotel of the year, best family-friendly pub, and best casual dining venue in western country.

The Royal Hotel at Armidale has also been named in the running for best traditional pub-style accommodation.

But the Pub Group’s twin nominations in this year’s awards are significant achievements in a long list of hotel awards.

The Longyard Hotel last year was judged highly commended in the category of best casual dining for a northern country venue – but this year is among the top pubs for the prestigious best steak venue in the bush award.

In ranking in the top 10, the Longyard is pitted against the likes of Graze at the Willow Tree pub, and head chef and steak maker Nick Lockyer said it’s a testament to the Longyard’s culinary partnership with the local Bective Station producers to be in such top-quality company this year.

Mr Lockyer’s got the night off from the kitchen tonight – and he’ll be ringside with publicans Jarod Douglas and Craig Power, Longyard bistro manager Toni Howison and Jake Anderson from the Southgate Inn at the awards ceremony at the Star Casino in Sydney.

The sister pub, the Southgate Inn in West Tamworth, has won a finals spot in the best country Pub TAB category. 

AHA chief executive John Whelan said the food categories were an important part of the annual awards.

“There are a record 40 categories at this year’s Awards for Excellence and the food categories, such as best burger, best steak and best restaurant, are always hotly contested,” he said.

“The last decade has seen the rise of the gastro-pub with food increasing in quality across the board.

“Having a meal with family and friends is now an important part of a visit to your local – and the large number of nominations in these categories reflects the importance hoteliers are putting on their food offerings.”