Irish hospitality industry veteran John Pearson passed away in Co. Cork on Sunday October 18.
One Of The Hospitality Sector's "Greatest Ambassadors"
Paying tribute to Pearson, head of culinary practice at TU Dublin's School of Culinary Arts & Food Technology James Murphy said, "On Sunday morning, October 18, 2020, the hospitality and bar industry and education sector lost one of its greatest ambassadors, and I lost my friend. John was a truly talented gentleman dedicated to creating careers, educational opportunities and access to education for everyone, irrespective of their background. He always believed that it's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. I was so fortunate to have known John and benefitted from his wisdom and his wit, which he cleverly used to charm audiences at home and abroad on our many trips to IBA conventions and World Cocktail Competitions, flying the flag for Ireland.
"After a distinguished career in the hotel industry, which included working at The Metropole Hotel, Cork, and Royal Hibernian Hotel, Dawson Street, Dublin, John took up the position of lecturer at Cork Institute of Technology (CIT). John was also a staunch supporter of association bartending activity, having joined the UKGB (Irish branch) in the 1960s, and continued this work into the Bartenders Association of Ireland (BAI) right into the 2000s. His dedicated work and expertise were recognised when he was elected to the board of the Educational Development Committee (EDC) of the International Bartenders Association (IBA). He was also bestowed honorary life membership of the BAI. While John achieved so much in his life, he was always a family man, and my thoughts at this time go to his wife, Agnes, his children and extended family. John Pearson, rest in peace. Ar dheis dé go raibh a h-anam dílis."
© 2020 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
