Acorn Awards 2024: Alana Quigley, restaurant manager, Birnam, Gleneagles, Auchterarder

Age 27

Position Restaurant manager, Birnam, Gleneagles, Auchterarder

Nominator Daniel Greenock, director of food and beverage, Gleneagles

Alana Quigley joined Gleneagles seven years ago, and since then her talent and determination have propelled her up the ranks from waiter in 2017 to supervisor in 2019, moving into formal dining in a leadership role in the Strathearn in 2020. The following year, after helping to launch the Summer Lawn Bar, which generated more than £550,000 over four months, she joined Birnam, becoming deputy manager in 2023, prior to her most recent promotion to head of department.

As the Birnam’s restaurant manager, Quigley guides her 35-strong team in providing five-star service to 5,000 guests a month, grossing an annual turnover of £3.5m.

Passionate about developing others, she has offered up her restaurant and experience to become a training ground for young people to develop through competitions. In 2023 she hosted the first Young Chef Young Waiter competition in Scotland, and since 2022 she has hosted the finals of the Scottish heats of the Annual Awards of Excellence (AAE), using her experience as a past competitor to mentor the finalists on the day. This year, she is preparing her assistant manager to compete in the Gold Service Scholarship finals and last year she supported two of her team in applying for HIT Scotland Scholarships.

The real impact of Alana going above and beyond can be felt through her work in creating a supportive space for her team, notably giving her time to support one team member in need for three years.

Perhaps what says it all is that Alana achieved 100% engagement in the Annual Employee Survey for 2024.

Who has been your biggest champion in the industry?

"Emma Simpson, our people team director. I’ve observed her make a significant difference in the hospitality industry by prioritising and supporting our team members. Throughout the years she has cultivated a unique working environment that diverges from the traditional expectations of the hospitality sector."

How do you get the best out of your team?

"I strive to build rapport with colleagues by highlighting our shared human experiences. This method has proven effective in aiding their understanding of the significance and worth of our work, ultimately leading to increased motivation and dedication."

What excites you most about the future of your role?

"The experience of navigating through life and learning from the diverse range of people we encounter daily has been valuable. Receiving this award has boosted my confidence and motivated me and reinforced my belief that with dedication and effort, any goal is achievable."