The finalists below were chosen based on the judging process that took place at Crowne Plaza Belfast on 21 and 22 June. Each category was judged by independent non-hospitality related professionals from across sectors with esteemed careers in the Civil Service, Chartered Accountants, Solicitors, Consultants, HR Professionals and more.
Thank you to the judges for interviewing such incredible talent, and well done to all nominees for going forward for interview with the panels.
Congratulations to everyone below for being shortlisted as finalists, an amazing achievement I’m sure you’ll agree.
We all look forward to celebrating at the IoH Northern Ireland Awards for Professionalism 2023 on September 8 at Culloden Estate and Spa.
Shortlisted Finalists 2023
Aspiring Manager Award
Cyprian Kuczmaszewski, The Merchant Hotel Belfast
Megan McDonagh, Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast
Michael O’Neill, Maldron Hotel Belfast City
Tiarnach Craig, Maldron Hotel Belfast International Airport
Bar Manager of the Year
Aaron Dugan, The Merchant Hotel Belfast
Ashley Douglas, Kon-Tiki Boat Bar
Ciaran Hampton, Killeavy Castle Estate
Lesley Rushe, The Cloth Ear
Lewis Robinson, Bert’s Jazz Bar
Rory Brady, Clayton Belfast
Chef of the Year
Adam Curley, Maldron Hotel Belfast City
Andrew Brodie, Harbour House Inn Newcastle
Darragh Dooley, Killeavy Castle Estate
Dean Butler, Fitzwilliam Hotel
Jamie Penny, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens (chandco group)
Nicholas O’Kane, The Mount Charles Group
Coffee Shop / Cafe Manager of the Year
Chris McCune, Haptik
Kirsty Travers, South Prom Brew Bar
Laoise McCann, Nobel Cafe
Lesley McCaughan, Follow Coffee Company
Louisa Ranu, Craft Event Co.
Weronika Gajus, Barista Bar
Commercial Manager of the Year
Geoff Baird, Henderson Foodservice
Grainne Herron, Andras Hotels
Stephanie Sheerin, Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast
Terry Kelly, Killeavy Castle Estate
Contract Catering Manager of the Year
Elaine Arthurs, The Mount Charles Group
Kirsty Ferris, The Mount Charles Group
Rosemary Tobin, Compass Ireland
Stephen Chambers, Sodexo
Front of House Manager of the Year
Aaron Murray, Hilton Hotel Belfast
Cecelia Holloway, Killeavy Castle Estate
Claire Parks, Europa Hotel
Matthew Casement, Grand Central Hotel
Ryan Beattie, Maldron Hotel Belfast International Airport
Stacy Hagen, Maldron Hotel Belfast City
General Manager of the Future
Fisnik Ujkaj, Holiday Inn Belfast
Lauren Hodson, Fitzwilliam Hotel
Matthew Hynds, Killeavy Castle Estate
Matthew O’Neill, Galgorm Collection, The Rabbit hotel & retreat
Michael Campbell, Culloden Estate and Spa
Shea Clarke, The Merchant Hotel Belfast
Hospitality Management Team of the Year
Europa Hotel
Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast
Maldron Hotel Belfast International Airport
Holiday Inn Derry
Crowne Plaza Belfast
The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat
Hotelier of the Year
Andrew Carson, Bullitt Hotel
Christo Botha, Crowne Plaza Belfast
Henk Compier, Armagh City Hotel
Mike Gatt, Maldron Hotel Belfast City
Housekeeping Manager of the Year
Aine Finnegan, Europa Hotel
Alla Pahomova, Holiday Inn Belfast
Beatrice Allen, Slieve Donard Hotel
Cristian Fierastrau, Killeavy Castle Estate
Jess McKelvie, Hilton Hotel Belfast
Marie Compier, Armagh City Hotel
Independent Chef of the Year
Artur Fron, 2Taps Winebar
Colleen Lennon, The Oliver
James Mullholland, No 14. Georgian House
Lecturer of the Year
Ashley Douglas, NRC and Belfast Met
Brian Magill, SERC
Keith Campbell, Southern Regional College
Paul Monaghan, SERC
Simon Russell, Ulster University
Sinead Boyle, Southern Regional College
Operational Manager of the Year
Callum Dickson, Europa Hotel
Courtney Weir, Maldron Hotel Belfast International Airport
James O’Donnell, Fitzwilliam Hotel
Katie Jackson, Ballygally Castle
Kevin Keenan, Montalto Estate
Pedro Silva, Bullitt Hotel
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year
Amy Howard, Stormont Hotel (Hastings)
Dylan Murphy, Greedy Gorb & SERC
Jonathan McCloskey, KFC (Boucher Road)
Laura Skillen, Grand Central (Hastings)
Michael Davidson, Yellow Fin Catering
Sheila Mulgrew, Radisson Blu
Restaurateur of the Year
Jarron Watson-O’Neil, 2Taps Winebar
Niall McKenna, Waterman House
Student Management Potential Award
Claire Ward, Southern Regional College
Jodie Peden, Ulster University
Supplier of the Year
Angela Kiley, Galgorm Group
David Jordan, Henderson Foodservice
Nathan Evans, Anzac Drinks
Niall Diver, Pattison & Co
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