Harrogate Hospitality and Tourism Awards 2016: Nominate now

Now in its eighth year the Harrogate Hospitality and Tourism Awards have gone from strength to strength and offer a hotly contested set of nine awards which the town and district’s tourism workers have quickly come to hold in the highest regard.

Organisers David Ritson and Simon Cotton (Or Spidey and Batman!) welcome Andy Pearson (The Flash!) from Bidvest Foodservice as the new sponsor of the Unsung Hero category for this year.

Andy said “It’s been a slightly unusual welcome however both David and Simon are very passionate about this event and it’s our pleasure at Bidvest to join the team. At Bidvest we know that your customers expect great food, pure and simple.

"Providing the right quality food is just for starters. We’re here to help you grow, so we make it our business to get all the essentials right, so you can focus on serving fantastic food, every day.

"Our key principles are Great Food, Service Excellence, Real Value, The best team and Forward Thinking – great focuses which really have close links with the Hospitality & Tourism industry and we are proud to be associated with these exciting and prestigious awards”.

He added: “One of the key factors for us is that the Unsung Hero award recognises the huge number of people who work behind the scenes to ensure the tourism sector in Harrogate district is a success, without them there is no business – simple – they are really that important.

"Those who have small jobs have big responsibilities in a business and it’s our view that they should be recognised and thanked for their services”

Spidey – sorry that’s David Ritson Chair of Destination Harrogate was delighted to welcome Bidvest and reinforced Andy’s words.

He said:“ We are very clear that it is our job in the hospitality industry to make sure visitors have a great time in the area by providing high quality service, food, drink and accommodation to ensure they want to return in the future.

"To do this we need the very best people both front of house and behind the scenes providing their very best, day in and day out.

"Our Hospitality and Tourism Awards are recognition of that commitment and congratulate those people who set a benchmark across the town for others to emulate”.

Organised by Destination Harrogate, an association of 9 leading hotels in the town, these awards celebrate and reward outstanding individuals and teams who truly represent Harrogate as one of the country’s leading destinations for both business and leisure tourism.

There are nine categories in total in the awards;

Waiter/Waitress of the Year – sponsored by Harrogate Spring Water

Bar Person of the Year – sponsored by Matthew Clark

Chef of the Year – sponsored by Sykes House Farm

Team of the Year – sponsored by Platinum Print

Harrogate Ambassador – Sponsored by Harrogate Chamber of Trade & Commerce

Newcomer of the Year – Sponsored by Harrogate College

Unsung Hero – sponsored by Bidvest Foodservice

Best Achievement of the Year – sponsored by Blueline Taxis, and

Outstanding Customer Service – sponsored by Leeds Bradford International Airport.

Finalists for each award will be invited to a stunning awards gala dinner to be held at Harrogate’s Royal Hall on June 20, 2016.

Support your favourite this year and nominate them before 31st March. All you have to do is complete the nomination form online at www.destinationharrogate.co.uk, or fill-in a form which you’ll find across town in restaurants, hotels, bars and other public places. These can be handed in at the tourist information centre on Crescent Gardens.

For news of the awards join us also on Twitter @HHTAwards and #HHTA16

To attended the awards dinner and support your nominations visit the website for details, or call Sian Craig on 01423 858585.