Robin Hutson wins Outstanding Contribution award at Hotel Cateys 2014

A gathering of 750 recipients at the awards presentation dinner at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London, gave a standing ovation to the hotelier who founded Hotel du Vin with Gerard Basset 20 years ago and has since gone on to create Lime Wood and a second brand, the Pig. This year Hutson, chairman and chief executive of Lime Wood Group and Home Grown Hotels, has launched two new Pigs â€" near Bath, and at Studland Bay, Dorset â€" both of which have achieved instant critical acclaim and near 100% occupancies.

 

“For 20 years, Robin has proved himself to be totally in tune with providing the customer and guest with exactly what they want â€" initially by providing the dual hook of fabulous food and wine in a town setting and more latterly by revitalising the dowdy three-star hotel market in the country,” said Amanda Afiya, the editor of The Caterer. “The fact that his trend-setting ideas have longevity and that his hotels are almost permanently full make him a very worthy winner of this year’s award.”

 

Hutson was one of 18 winners at the glittering awards ceremony this evening. They included triple award winner the Lancaster London. The four-AA-star, 416-bedroom hotel won accolades for conference and banqueting team of the year, front of house manager of the year (Thoralf Kretzschmar), and food and beverage manager of the year (Axelle Besson).

 

Comedian Andy Parsons compered the awards ceremony, while charities Hospitality Action and Springboard benefitted from the evening’s fundraising efforts.

 

2014 HOTEL CATEY WINNERS

 

Front of House Manager of the Year â€" Sponsored by Matthew Clark

 

• Thoralf Kretzschmar, Lancaster London

 

Front of House Team of the Year **â€"** Sponsored by SCA Hygiene

 

• Macdonald Windsor

 

Conference and Banqueting Team of the Year â€" Sponsored by Reynolds

 

• Lancaster London

 

Housekeeper of the Year â€" Sponsored by Berendsen

 

• Joanna Patek, Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5

 

Green Hotel of the Year â€" Sponsored by Bidvest 3663

 

• Red Carnation Hotels

 

Hotel Restaurant Manager of the Year â€" Sponsored by Carte Noire

 

• Davide Durante, the Bingham, Richmond

 

Hotel Restaurant Team of the Year â€" Sponsored by Douwe Egberts Professional

 

• Northcote, Langho, Lancashire

 

Food and Beverage Manager of the Year â€" Sponsored by Balvenie

 

• Axelle Besson, Lancaster London

 

Spa Professional of the Year â€" Sponsored by Act Clean

 

• Kerry Hudson, Chewton Glen hotel and spa, Hampshire

 

Revenue Award â€" Sponsored by Sky

 

• Helle Norgaard Beattie, Hyatt Regency London â€" The Churchill

 

Hotel Chef of the Year (fewer than 250 covers) â€" Sponsored by Bunzl Speciality Businesses

 

• Steve Smith, Bohemia, Jersey

 

Hotel Chef of the Year (more than 250 covers) â€" Sponsored by Brakes

 

• James Murphy, Grand Central hotel, Glasgow

 

Human Resources Manager of the Year â€" Sponsored by The Caterer

 

• Mike Williams, Village Urban Resorts

 

Human Resources Team of the Year â€" Sponsored by Citi Recruit

 

• The people and organisation development team, Dorchester Collection

 

Concierge Award â€" Sponsored by AA Hotel Services

 

• Burak Ipekci, South Place hotel, London

 

Extra Mile Award â€" Sponsored by Zenith Hygiene Group

 

• Sylla Ibrahima, Park Plaza County Hall, London

 

Hotelier of the Year â€" Sponsored by Casna Group

 

• Danny Pecorelli, managing director, Exclusive Hotels and Venues

 

Outstanding Contribution â€" Sponsored by Diversey

 

• Robin Hutson, chairman and chief executive, Lime Wood Group and Home Grown Hotels

 

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