Business

Hospitality giants honoured for their professionalism at 23rd IOH awards

The main winners combine for a group shot after the 23rd IOH Awards in Titanic Belfast. Photos: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye
The main winners combine for a group shot after the 23rd IOH Awards in Titanic Belfast. Photos: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye The main winners combine for a group shot after the 23rd IOH Awards in Titanic Belfast. Photos: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye

THE Institute of Hospitality, the professional membership body for individual managers and aspiring managers who work and study in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries across the north, honoured more than 20 outstanding people at its 23rd IOH Awards For Professionalism bash in Titanic Belfast.

The awards recognise talented individuals who have contributed to their business and the industry over the past year, and four of the 21 categories were new for 2018 - namely Duty Manager of the Year, General Manager of the Future, Human Resource Manager of the Year and The Unsung Hero.

This year saw a record number of entries with the independent judges citing this year as being extremely competitive with a very high standard of professionalism demonstrated by candidates.

The Outstanding Contribution Award sponsored by NI Jobs was presented to Denis Broderick for his commitment and innovative approach to achieve the very best for the industry and the support he provides to those around him, while the IOH President’s Award was presented to long-standing regional committee member and past chair Michael Cafolla for his dedication and service to the organisation over the years.

IOH (NI branch) chair Marianne Hood said: “Over the years these awards have increasingly become an important event for individual industry professionals in Northern Ireland.

"Not only do they recognise talented individuals, who have contributed so much to their business and the industry over the past year, but demonstrate a clear commitment to developing and maintaining professionalism within this fantastic sector.”

Peter Ducker, chief executive of the Institute of Hospitality, added: “Over the past 23 years the IOH NI committee has constantly raised the profile of the awards, making them more popular and prestigious than ever.

"The committed team provides an excellent awards process and event which promotes professionalism and encourages continued professional development within the industry. We congratulate all of the winners for helping to raise standards within hospitality.” The winners are:

• Outstanding Apprentice of the Year Award sponsored by People 1st - Rachel Carson (Ballyrobin Country Lodge)

• Hotel Chef of the Year sponsored by Get Fresh - Conor McClelland (Rayanne House)

• Hotelier of the Year sponsored by MKB Law - David Morrison (Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges)

• Human Resource Manager of the Year sponsored by Gen Tech - Stefanie Brooks (Hastings Culloden Estate & Spa)

• Front of House Manager of the Year sponsored by Avvio - Lucy Waugh (Bullitt Hotel)

• Lecturer of the Year sponsored by Institute of Hospitality - Sharon Rolt (Belfast Met)

• Business Development Manager of the Year Award sponsored by Johnsons Coffee - Caitriona Lennox (Mount Charles Group)

• Contract Catering Manager of the Year sponsored by Deli Lites - Caroline McClelland (Mount Charles Group)

• Hospitality Management Team of the Year sponsored by firmus energy - Bull & Ram

• Supplier of the Year sponsored by NIMMS - Leah Robb (Robb Brothers Wine Merchants)

• Independent Bar Manager of the Year sponsored by Molson Coors - Roisin McErlean (The Tipsy Bird)

• Restaurateur of the Year sponsored by Hugh Jordan - Daryl Shields (Bull & Ram)

• Duty Manager of the Year sponsored by McAlindon Wines - Jose Castano (Hilton Templepatrick)

• Housekeeping Manager of the Year sponsored by Lilliput Services - Michael Joseph (The Old Inn)

• Contract Catering Chef of the Year sponsored by Irwin's Bakery - Friederich Machala (Sodexo)

• Restaurant Chef of the Year sponsored by Henderson Foodservice - Paul Cunningham (Brunels Newcastle)

• Coffee Shop / Café Manager of the Year sponsored by Lynas Foodservice - Cathy Moore (Loaf Café Bakery)

• General Manager of the Future sponsored by Tourism NI - John Paul Taggart (Odyssey Bowl)

• Unsung Hero of the Year sponsored by Net Affinity -Laura Wilson (Sodexo)

• Student Management Potential Award sponsored by Stephens Catering - Thomas Stinton (Ulster University Business School)