The final shortlist across twelve categories has been revealed ahead of the Harrogate Hospitality & Tourism Awards.
The popular annual event will return with a spectacular gala dinner at the Royal Hall on Monday 1st June.
Judges have said some 'very tough decisions' have been made due to the 'excellent quality of nominations', with over 1,000 received this year.
Now in it’s eighteenth year, the awards are organised and hosted by Simon Cotton on behalf of Harrogate Hospitality & Tourism Association, the association of the leading hotels of the town.
Simon said:
“Once again it has been fantastic this year to see so many entries and also new business getting involved and the interest from the wider Harrogate District rather than just the town centre venues has also been so good to see and clearly demonstrates how much these awards mean to people and local businesses.
"It is clear from the number of entries we received that these awards still truly capture the imagination of those working in, or affected by hospitality and tourism, and shows what a major industry it is for the town.
"Harrogate relies heavily on both business and leisure tourism and everyone involved in the chain of visitor service delivery play their part in continuing to deliver the excellent standards of service and hospitality associated with Harrogate.”
The judging panel’s shortlists for each category are:
Waiter/Waitress of the Year – sponsored by Harrogate Spring Water
- Becky Colley – Drum & Monkey
- Giselle Kwok – The Crown Hotel
- Jasmin Davey – Drunken Piglet
- Vivien Kovacs – The Blue Bell at Arkendale
Bar Person of the Year – sponsored by Matthew Clark
- Brad Anderson – Starling Bar
- Fiona Worthington – Tap On The Tutt
- Josh Henderson – Six Poor Folk
- Kyah Dent – Fox and Hounds
- Szabi Kucsera – Hidden Lounge & Bar
Chef of the Year – sponsored by Sykes House Farm
Please see website for final list of nominees.
Team of the Year – sponsored by Platinum
- Bluebell at Arkendale
- Commercial Team – Majestic Hotel
- Mucky Duck
- Yolk Farm
Newcomer of the Year – sponsored by Harrogate College
- Drunken Piglet
- Esme’s Coffee House & Kitchen
- Jonny’s Bar
- Kitchen & Coffee
- Ake & Humphris Wine Bar
Unsung Hero – sponsored by Bidfood
- Darrell Broadbent – Henshaws
- Imogen Ward – Esme Coffee House
- Matthew Harper – Bidfood
- Paul Spedding – Six Poor Folk
Outstanding Customer Service – sponsored by LWC Drinks
- Beth Sinclair – Rhubarb
- Gabriel Sosa – Divino’s
- Ian Pilcher – Mama Doreens
- Rosie Nicholls – Fodder
Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Guinness
- Cattlemans
- Drum & Monkey
- Fifty Two
- Illam
- Konak Meze
Bar of the Year – sponsored by Timothy Taylor’s
- Hidden Lounge
- Mucky Duck
- Tap on Tutt
- Threes A Crowd
- Six Poor Folk
Receptionist of the Year – sponsored by Harrogate Christmas & Gift
- Clare Rawling – Pavilions of Harrogate
- Deborah Ferreira – Divino Restaurant
- Gauri Menon – Majestic Hotel
- Purvi Mahida – West Park Hotel
Housekeeper of the Year – sponsored by Beaucare
- Anna Parry – Hotel du Vin
- Julie Wells – Yorkshire Hotel
- Justyna Janic – Crown Hotel
- Tanya Abdul Khalib – Swinton Estate
Harrogate Ambassador - sponsored by Your Harrogate
The winner of this special Award is to be announced on the night.
Simon Cotton said:
“The judges were once again impressed by the level and quality of entries this year and as has come the case over the years, there were a number of categories where it was really hard to have to leave out some really fantastic entries and I only hope that those who haven’t made it this year to the short list will try again next year.
"To ensure we had the best candidates shortlisted several sponsors have been out visiting venues and some will be visiting nominees at their place of work and spend some time to see them in action and talk to them about their jobs; although some of the judges have decided to go undercover and visit some of the venues as mystery guests too.
"Over 200 tickets have already been snapped up for the big night in June so it's inevitable that we will once again sell out the night in a matter of days now."
If you would like to visit and support those shortlisted, tickets are available by email at Lyndsey.gibbs@hotmail.co.uk at £89 per person.
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