Harrogate’s hospitality heroes were recognised for their excellence and commitment last night (6th June) at the Hospitality and Tourism Awards.
The annual gala dinner celebrated the best the town has to offer at Harrogate’s Royal Hall.
This year was the fourteenth year of the sell-out awards evening organised by the Harrogate Hospitality & Tourism Association (HHTA).
Hosts Simon Cotton and David Ritson were joined by the General Managers from the member Harrogate hotels from HHTA and proud award sponsors to present the coveted award categories.
The Harrogate Hospitality and Tourism Awards aim to promote the town’s hospitality offering by celebrating and rewarding those who show the highest levels of commitment and strive towards excellence on the town’s behalf.
During February and March this year, members of the public and visitors to Harrogate were invited to nominate individuals who they thought deserved special recognition.
This year another new award, Housekeeper of the Year, was added and helped generate over 1000 nominations before a shortlist was chosen by judges across the thirteen categories.
David Ritson, General Manager of the Old Swan Hotel and co-organiser of the event, said:
“The awards are a fantastic occasion for the town and beyond.
“They reward not only the winners, but all those who are shortlisted and work in every area of hospitality, recognising the effort and commitment they make on a daily basis.”
He added:
“We received so many entries this year and after what our industry has been through recently it was great to see such a large number of the community getting involved.
“We have been able to reward some very worthy winners. The nominations we receive outline the amazing feats that this industry can generate.
“We are extremely lucky to live and work in a town where the community comes together to make it such a great place.”
Simon Cotton, Managing Director at the HRH Group and co-organiser of the awards said:
“We would like to thank everyone who supported us in the awards; we had a record response to nominations and a record number of people wanting to attend the dinner and awards at the Royal Hall.
“The hospitality sector is so important to this town’s economy and it is wonderful to see the crème de la crème of their category being acclaimed for their efforts; both those shortlisted and those who won deserve their ‘moment in the spotlight’ and it was great to see everyone celebrating tonight!”
The award winners were:
Waiter/Waitress of the Year – sponsored by Harrogate Spring Water
Happiness Brown – Majestic Hotel
Bar Person of the Year – sponsored by Matthew Clark
Kallum Atkinson – Fat Badger
Chef of the Year – sponsored by Sykes House Farm
Callum Bower – Rudding Park
Team of the Year – sponsored by Platinum
Starling Bar Café Kitchen
Newcomer of the Year – sponsored by Harrogate College
Hopkins @ Horticap
Unsung Hero – sponsored by Bidfood
Louiza Noland – Banyan
Best Achievement of the Year – sponsored by Harrogate BID
Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
Outstanding Customer Service – sponsored by Slingsby
Domenico Ponziani – Sasso
Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by the World of James Herriot
Drum & Monkey
Bar of the Year – sponsored by Timothy Taylor’s
Tap on Tower Street
Receptionist of the Year – Sponsored by Bookers Wholesale
Sam Ramsden – Rudding Park
Housekeeper of the Year – Sponsored by Beaucare
Elaine Long – Old Swan Hotel
Harrogate Ambassador of the Year sponsored by Harrogate Christmas Market
Harry Satloka