Winners have been announced at the fifth Hospitality Awards, organised by The Southampton Region Hoteliers Association. The awards celebrated the high achievers and teams that amplify the best hospitality has to offer in the city region on 23rd February.
Held at Novotel Southampton and hosted by Zoe Hanson from The So SO Show, 150 people attended the awards which saw nine winners crowned from three finalists in each category. Guided by with the Novotel Southampton team, City College catering and hospitality students supported kitchen and waiting staff, giving them first hand experience of working in the hospitality industry.
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Image Credit: Dave Dodge / Dave Dodge Photography
Nominations were submitted over 6 weeks during the autumn by members of the Southampton Region Hoteliers Association who were able to put forward colleagues, managers and hotels to be considered for the 9 categories. 128 nominations were received, the highest amount so far for the awards, meaning the sponsors had a tough time whittling them down to 3 finalists per category before chatting further with finalists and then choosing their winner.
Charlotte O’Connell, a member of the Southampton Region Hoteliers Association said, “128 nominations show the breadth of talent and commitment we have here in the city region working in local hospitality. The awards recognise how valued all those nominated are to peers, employees and employers. Awards like these help raise the profile of careers in the hospitality industry and we hope will encourage future employment choices.”
The Award Winners on the night, chosen from three finalists for each category were:
Sales & Revenue of the Year Award (Sponsored by The Marketing Collective)
WINNER: Stephanie Lewis from Moxy Southampton
Community Award (Sponsored by SWJ Events)
WINNER: room2 Southampton
Chef of the Year Award (Sponsored by Chefs and Events Staffing)
WINNER: Jamie Holmes from Hilton Southampton – Utilita Bowl
Rising Star of the Year Award (Sponsored by South Hampshire College Group)
WINNER: Molly Shorland from Holiday Inn Eastleigh
Operational Excellence of the Year Award (Sponsored HSG Facilities Management)
WINNER: Marty Northover from Novotel Southampton
Top Team of the Year Award (Sponsored by Harvest Fine Foods)
WINNER: room2 Southampton
Manager of the Year Award (Sponsored by Fire Hospitality)
WINNER: Norman Cardoso from Holiday Inn Southampton
Lifetime Achievement Award (Sponsored by Brakes)
WINNER: Martin Rogers from Hilton Southampton – Utilita Bowl
Outstanding Achievement Award (Sponsored by Headline Sponsor, Radio Taxis)
WINNER: Maia Langham from Hilton Southampton – Utilita Bowl
For the third year running, headline sponsor Radio Taxis, were among those supporting the 2024 awards. Simon May, Chief Executive Officer said, “Radio Taxis were really excited to sponsor the Hospitality Awards again in 2024, over the past couple of years we’ve seen some serious outstanding achievements within the industry and it has been a pleasure to help reward those most deserving. A big well done to everyone!.”
The not-for-profit awards raised £3,222 for the charity FareShare Southern Central, and Headline Sponsor Radio Taxis added an additional £2,000, totalling £5,222.
FareShare Southern Central provides good quality food to charities and community organisations in Hampshire. They support breakfast clubs, food banks, lunch clubs for older people, night shelters, day centres, community cafes and projects supporting vulnerable young people and those with addictions and mental health. Working closely with the food and drink industry they ensure that no good food goes to waste.
Jane Owen, Community Coordinator at FareShare Southern Central said “A huge thank you from FareShare Southern Central for the amazing donation! This money will help us with our rising warehouse costs and help keep our delivery vans on the road. We deliver over 3,000 kilos of surplus food every week to 30 charities across the city. Every penny helps us so thank you again!.”
A special thanks is to be acknowledged to all sponsors and supporters, without whom the awards would not be possible: Radio Taxis, Novotel Southampton, The Marketing Collective, SWJ Events, Fire Hospitality, Brakes, HSG Facilities Management, Harvest Fine Foods, Chefs & Events Staffing, South Hampshire College Group, So SO Show, All Parties and Events, Event Perfection, ASAP UK, Dave Dodge Photography, 22 Midnight, Hampshire’s Top Attractions, Epic Photobooths and City College catering and hospitality students.
About the Southampton & Region Hoteliers Association
The Southampton and Region Hoteliers Association are a collaboration of accommodation and venue providers from across the Southampton region. Established in 1956, it aims to promote the city as a great place to work, visit and enjoy, whilst sharing best practice for the benefit of the industry and help nurture the hospitality and leisure workforce of the future.The Hospitality Awards aim to promote the regional hospitality industry and the association by celebrating success and outstanding achievements.
About the Awards
The Hospitality Awards aim to promote the regional hospitality industry and the association, by celebrating success and outstanding achievements.