THE fourth annual BH Area Hospitality Association Recognition Awards have taken place – with Kris Hall of The Burnt Chef Project picking up a major prize.
The non-profit social enterprise was launched to help eradicate mental health stigma in the industry.
It trains workers for companies in the sector and offers education, support and resources to make the hospitality and leisure industries healthier and more sustainable.
Kris said: “I’m side-swiped to win the contribution to hospitality award. We don’t for it for recognition, we do it because it needs to be done. The award means a lot.”
The event, held at Bournemouth’s Marsham Court Hotel, celebrates those who keep the multi-million pounds hospitality sector running.
It recognises those staff who work in the industry across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, with more than 110 staff and 50 sponsors attending the awards.
Host Andy Brennan said: “It’s great to have been asked to host these awards for a third year running.
“The hotel industry is an important industry to the region and the staff should be praised for their ongoing commitment.
“It’s such a joy when I announce the winners and runners up. They are all so deserving, and it is nice to see an industry give back to their staff with a complimentary evening of fun and razzle dazzle.”
Britain’s Got Talent’s Nino Nikolov wowed the guests with a virtuoso performance on his electric violin and excellent food was delivered by the Marsham Court Hotel.
Rosie Radwell, chair of BH Area Hospitality Association, said: “I’m pleased to have been involved with these awards since their inception back in 2021 after a difficult time for our sector.
“It is a pleasure to have seen so many nominations again this year and to be able to celebrate the talent and loyalty of the staff we have.
“This is my first Recognition Awards as chair, and I feel honoured and privileged to have worked with so many hoteliers, sponsors, partners, staff and individuals to help make the awards what they are today.
“A special mention must go to Bournemouth Coastal BID for partnering with us and NFU Mutual New Forest, Isle of Wight and Bournemouth who, after being our main sponsors last year, agreed a three-year contract as our sole main sponsor.
“We look forward to working with them again for the next two years on these prestigious awards.
“I was also thoroughly privileged to have been able to present Kris Hall from The Burnt Chef Project a special award for his contribution to hospitality.
“The work Kris and the team do is so important to our industry, and I hope to help them spread the word about the importance of what they offer.
“Mental health is a growing concern as as is the burnout that comes with it, and we need to support our teams more to prevent this from continuing.”
Darren Seward, agent and partner at NFU Mutual New Forest, Isle of Wight and Bournemouth, said “We are delighted to be the sole sponsor of the BAHA Recognition Awards and it was an honour for us to present the Exceptional Customer Service and the Future of Hospitality (aged 18-25) awards.
“These awards recognise the commitment, hard work and success of the young adults working in the hospitality and tourism sector.
“We are committed to working closely with the hospitality sector. Our office is the Mutual’s largest hospitality agency in the country, and we work with many businesses across the sector to understand the challenges and opportunities.
“We enjoy being regarded as a collaborative, supportive and an innovative partner to many of the largest and most respected businesses across Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and beyond.”
The full results from the BH Area Hospitality Association Recognition Awards 2024 are:
Contribution to Hospitality Industry sponsored by BH Area Hospitality Association
Winner Kris Hall – The Burnt Chef Project
Bournemouth University Hospitality Student of the Year
2 x winners: Angshuman Guha and Dora Andriani Sinaga
Bournemouth & Poole College Hospitality Student of the Year
Winner Eva Crease
Runner-up Jackson Warwick
Receptionist of the Year sponsored by BCTC
Winner Oliver Baudet
Runner-up Renata Poprawa
Waiter or Waitress of the Year sponsored by New Forest Fruit Company
Winner Ciara Thomson
Runner-up Rita Alvarez
Kitchen Porter of the Year sponsored by Simon Scarborough Associates
Winner Les Stokes
Runner-up Cameron Kay
Bar Person of the Year sponsored by Power Audit UK
Winner Siddhesh Devkar
Runner-up Elysha Dorey
HR, Administration or Accounts Person of the Year sponsored by Ellis Jones Solicitors
Winner Carole McStocker
2 x runners-up Lucia Cerezo Melgarejo and Sushmitha Jatoth
Housekeeper of the Year sponsored by CLEAN Linen & Workwear
Winner Dorota Gornik
2 x runners-up Gunta Garance and Jim Kerr
Breakfast Chef, Chef de Partie or Commis Chef of the Year sponsored by Comax
Winner Billie Stock
Runner-up Marvin Narnor
Leisure & Spa Person of the Year sponsored by Rock Reef
Winner Ravan Hutchings
Runner-up Katy West
Maintenance Person of the Year sponsored by Waste Management Facilities
Winner Patrick McCourt
2 x runners-up Lukasz Duda and Simon Cutler
Night Staff of the Year sponsored by R & R Executive Travel Ltd
Winner Scott Nickels
Runner-up Sergio Syriopoulas
Sales and Events Manager of the Year sponsored by A-One Insurance
Winner Chamane Epps
2 x runners-up Hannah Attwater and Megan Templ-Edwards
Restaurant or Food and Beverage Manager of the Year sponsored by Chinastack Catering Equipment Ltd
Winner Eduardo Fernandes
Runner-up Scott Meek
Head Chef or Sous Chef of the Year sponsored by County Foods
Winner Anthony Alexander
2 x runners-ups Louis Cruz and Maciej Dorcz
Reservations and Revenue Person of the Year sponsored by Charminster Dry Cleaners
Winner Kirsty Speller
Runner-up Larissa Sucher
Assistant or Duty Manager of the Year sponsored by The Coffee Bean Company
Winner Iva Velinova
Runner-up Emma Walters
Deputy or Operations Manager of the Year sponsored by Harvest Fine Foods
Winner Zakaria Abdalla
2 x Runners-ups Maurizo Laudato & Rui Teles
Career Progression in Partnership with Coastal BID
Winner Alex Ribeiro Granito
2 x runners-up Filip Pijacki and Silvia Passera
Exceptional Customer Service sponsored by NFU Mutual
Winner Olivia Falconer
Runner-up Alison Longman
Future of Hospitality (18-25 years old) sponsored by NFU Mutual
Winner Alex Myatt
Runner Up Eva Crease
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