Gordon scoops major hotel award
THERE were huge celebrations in Wexford last week as Talbot Wexford’s assistant bar manager Gordon Kavanagh took home the illustrious award of Employee of the Year for the South East, at the Irish Hotels Federation Awards.
Gordon, a native of New Ross, has been a dedicated and loyal member of the Talbot Wexford team for eight years.
He is a welcoming face for all Talbot Wexford guests who frequent the hotel’s Ballast Bank Bar to sample his expertly mixed drinks.
South East Branch IHF members selected staff to put forward for this coveted award, with Gordon Kavanagh nominated on behalf of the Talbot Wexford.
Mr Kavanagh was the triumphant winner, fighting off the stiff competition from nine other shortlisted finalists at the awards ceremony, which was held in the Newpark Hotel Kilkenny, last Wednesday December 5.
Speaking at the awards ceremony last week, worthy winner Gordon said: ‘I am overwhelmed and honoured to have been chosen as the IHF Employee of the Year. What a recognition!
‘ There were nine other really strong candidates and I am truly grateful to everyone involved, not only to be nominated, but indeed to win such an award. Onwards and Upwards,’ he said.
As a result of this tremendous success Gordon will now be put forward for the National IHF Awards in Killarney in 2019.
Tomas Whelan (Mossie) of the Riverside Park Hotel in Enniscorthy was among the successful finalists chosen from hotels across the south east.
The Employee of the Year Award recognises and acknowledges the hard work and dedication of staff members in the hospitality industry, excluding management, and shows ap- preciation to those individuals who play an integral part in the smooth running of their respective hotels.
The South East Branch of the IHF has 68 members in total, taking in the counties of Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Waterford and Tipperary, and this is the second year running that the prestigious Employee of the Year Award for the South East has been presented.