Andrea Burke, food-and-beverage team leader at the Sligo Park Hotel, has been named the 23/24 Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) National Employee of the Year.
Members of the IHF nominated over 150 candidates who have consistently shown outstanding hospitality from their hotels/guesthouses to go forward for their regional IHF branch awards.
Denyse Campbell, president of the IHF, presented Burke with her award at the IHF’s annual conference in the Slieve Russell Hotel, Cavan.
‘Unwavering Focus’
“I am pleased to present Andrea with her award for IHF National Employee of the Year,” said Campbell.
“Her remarkable dedication, tireless efforts and unwavering focus on delivering exceptional service to guests are truly commendable.”
Winner
Burke first joined the Sligo Park Hotel team as a food-and-beverage assistant in 2018.
Her potential and career ambition were quickly realised, and the hotel funded her to pursue a Level 6 diploma in leadership and supervisory management at the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board.
This forged a pathway for promotion to team leader for the bar and restaurant in 2020, and Burke has continued to further her development, most recently undertaking a degree in bar management at Griffith College Dublin – a Level 7 qualification.
Rising Star Award
This year also saw the Rising Star Award presented to Hannah Pike, receptionist at the Shannon Springs Hotel, Limerick.
Pike started her hospitality career in the Shannon Springs Hotel’s accommodation department in 2021, before moving to the restaurant and bar in the summer of 2022, and then to her current role in reception in early 2023.
The judges commended Pike for her professionalism, maturity and adaptability when selecting her as the Rising Star winner.
‘Unwavering Dedication’
“We are all indebted to the remarkable teams of hotel and guesthouse employees nationwide, whose continuous efforts elevate guests’ experiences every day,” said Campbell.
“A special word of congratulations, also, to the 11 regional winners commended here this evening. It’s their passion and unwavering dedication that truly distinguishes our hotels as exceptional destinations, famous across the world.”
