May 29, 2019

Two members of the Sodexo team in Northern Ireland were honoured at the recent Institute of Hospitality Northern Ireland 2019 Awards.

At a star-studded ceremony in the Titanic Centre in Belfast on Friday 17 May, Stephen Chambers, executive chef with Sodexo Government Services, won the Contract Catering Chef of the Year Award, the company’s third year to win it. Jacqueline Thompson, front of house assistant for Sodexo at Allstate in Belfast was the winner of the Unsung Hero of the Year Award and is the company’s second year to do so, having won the inaugural award category last year.

The Awards recognise talented individuals who have contributed to their business and the industry in Northern Ireland over the past year, with record entries in 21 categories.

Stephen was nominated by Alaistair Armstrong, NI account manager, Sodexo Government Services not only for his award-winning culinary achievements but also for outstanding management of his unit and his internal and external mentoring activities. 
 
The Unsung Hero Award is for outstanding individuals at any level who were nominated by a work colleague or manager. It is unusual in that it is the nominator who is interviewed by a panel of independent judges where they outline exactly what makes the individual so special.  

Jacqueline was nominated by her then line manager, Pamela Millar, not only for excellent customer care standards and the glowing testimonials by her customers at the busy coffee shop in Allstate but also for her charity work.

Margot Slattery, country president for Sodexo, said: “We are extremely delighted and proud that Stephen Chambers and Jacqueline Thompson, two people who embody Sodexo’s unique values of service spirit, team spirit and spirit of progress, have been deservedly recognised and honoured by the judges for the NI Hospitality Awards.” 

 

Pictured

Top right: Jacqueline Thompson (2nd from left) is presented with the Unsung Hero Award by (from left) Marianne Hood, chair of IOH NI, Gemma Hynes from category sponsor Net Affinity and UTV presenter Pamela Ballantine, the Awards host

Bottom left: Stephen Chambers (2nd from left) is presented with the Contract Catering Chef of the Year Award by (from left) Marianne Hood, chair of IOH NI, Michael Murphy, from category sponsor Irwin’s Bakery and UTV presenter Pamela Ballantine, the Awards host