Finalists for Manchester Hoteliers Association Awards 2013 announced
The 16 shortlisted nominees for this year's seventh annual Manchester Hoteliers Association Awards have been announced.
The are four awards with shortlists: New Star of the Year, Employee of the Year (Front of House), Employee of the Year (Back of House) and the Howard Raynor Lifetime Achiever Award, the latter of which was created in honour of the late founder of World Class Service.
Inn addition, the winner of the Emerging Talent Award, presented each year by Manchester College to a student who is regarded as "one to watch" in the future, has been announced as catering student Bob Syznaka.
Hotels entering the awards were required to submit a 1,000-word supporting statement; those shortlisted were then invited to face a panel of independent judges from World Class Service and Manchester College.
Nominees include staff at hotels under top brands such as Radisson Blu Edwardian, Mercure, Crowne Plaza, Macdonald, Hilton and Malmaison.
Tracy Waddacor, managing director at World Class Service and awards judge, said: "It has been a pleasure to take part in the process and see the passion, drive and determination in all the finalists. They each have a keen interest in the industry and the ability to do their jobs so effortlessly well, and this transcends in their personable approach to providing superior service across their relevant departments."
The awards prize giving will be held at the Palace Hotel, Manchester, on 25 October, with funds raised going to hospitality charity Hospitality Action, and the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.
Comprised of more than 40 members in the city, the Manchester Hoteliers Association aims to be a "voice of the hotel industry" within the region. Its member hotels are responsible for generating a reported £250m of revenue into the city, and employ almost 5,000 people across 6,000 bedrooms.
Full list of awards and shortlisted nominees
EMERGING NEW TALENT
Bob Syznaka, catering
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR - NEW STAR OF THE YEAR
Emese Wittich, receptionist - Mercure Manchester Piccadilly
Andrew Turner, commis chef - Malmaison Hotel Manchester
Laura Ivan, conference supervisor - Crown Plaza Manchester Airport
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR - FRONT OF HOUSE
Rachel Crook, reception manager - The Palace Hotel
Martin Sromek, food & beverage supervisor - Mercure Manchester Piccadilly
Sean Walsh, reception shift leader - DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Piccadilly
Chidsanupong Paengchumpol, food & beverage team member - Crowne Plaza Manchester Airport
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR - BACK OF HOUSE
Asia Pastor, PA to general manager - DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Piccadilly
James Daly, accounts assistant - Park Inn by Radisson Manchester City Centre
David Smith, breakfast chef - Macdonald Townhouse Hotel Manchester
Fraser O'Neill, audio visual technician - Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel Manchester
HOWARD RAYNOR LIFETIME ACHIEVER
Jane Shaw, customer services manager - Mercure Manchester Piccadilly
Joe Paull, group reservations agent - Lowry Hotel
Susan Hough, executive head housekeeper - Macdonald Manchester Hotel and Spa
Ian Corner, The Portland by Thistle Hotel, Manchester
