Marianne Hood Chair of the IOH (NI), Restaurant Chef of the Year sponsored by Henderson Foodservice presented by Kiera Campbell, winner Paul Cunningham from Brunels Restaurant and awards host Pamela Ballantine

The Institute of Hospitality (IOH) NI, the professional membership body for individual managers and aspiring managers who work and study in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries, has revealed the winners of the 23rd Institute of Hospitality Awards For Professionalism at a glittering event recently held at Titanic Belfast. The list includes two restaurants in East Down Area Brunels Restaurant, Newcastle and the Bull & Ram, Ballynahinch.

The highly coveted awards recognise talented individuals who have contributed to their business and the industry over the past year.  For 2018 there were 21 categories with 4 new categories including; 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 23rd Institute of Hospitality Awards For Professionalism 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 Restaurant 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

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.  The Institute of Hospitality President’s Award was presented to longstanding IOH (NI) committee member and past chair Michael Cafolla for his dedication and service to the IOH over the years.

Chair of the Institute of Hospitality (NI branch), Marianne Hood commented:

“We are delighted to reveal the 23rd Institute of Hospitality Awards for Professionalism 2018 winners. Over the years the 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. We are indebted to a range of long-term, credible sponsors and partners and we thank them for their continued support without which the awards could not happen. We are also indebted to our dedicated voluntary committee who are committed to supporting our industry.  We also congratulate our longstanding committee member Michael Cafolla who received the President’s Awards in recognition for his dedication and service.”

Peter Ducker, Chief Executive of the Institute of Hospitality, added:

“Over the past 23 years the Institute of Hospitality 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 and thank them for helping to raise the standards of professionalism within hospitality.”

For further details visit www.iohniawards.com, Facebook InstituteofHospitalityNI, Twitter @IOH_NI  #IOHNI18.