In a glittering awards ceremony at the Culloden Hotel and Spa, the Institute of Hospitality Northern Ireland Awards for Professionalism 2023 returned to present 18 awards. With over 350 hospitality professionals in attendance at the event on Friday 8th September, hosted by TV personality Pamela Ballantine, Southern Regional College was delighted to have lecturers, students and past students as finalists, and receive two accolades!
Keith Campbell, lecturer at the College picked up the coveted title of ‘Lecturer of Year’ pipping his fellow SRC colleague Sinead Boyle to the award. Keith teaches on a range of hospitality and patisserie courses at the College and is a former student at the College. Keith and his colleague Sinead faced a grilling by a panel of independent judges in June and were left to ‘sweat it out in the kitchen’ until September when results were finally revealed.
At the grilling, Keith prepared a presentation detailing his role within the College, working with students leading them to success at regional and national competitions, and how the College continues to work hand in hand with local businesses preparing students for the hospitality industry.
As part of the College’s sustainability plans, Keith even spoke on the development of a foraging qualification designed to introduce safe and sustainable foraging practices to influence dishes served.
Elsewhere, student Claire Ward who recently graduated from the College with the University Ulster Foundation Degree in Hospitality & Tourism with Specialisms, picked up the ‘Student Management Potential Award’ and former student Collen Lennon from hospitality business ‘The Oliver’ was a finalist in the Independent Chef of the Year category.
Matt Turner, Head of Faculty for Professional Services at Southern Regional College commented:
“I am beyond delighted to have so many lecturers, students and past students nominated as well as deserving winners at this year’s Northern Ireland Institute of Hospitality Awards for Professionalism 2023. Staff and students put a tremendous amount of work into a creative profession, and to see this effort be recognised is absolutely fantastic.”
Southern Regional College offers students the ability to learn a range of hospitality courses; from bakery and patisserie techniques, barista skills, cocktail making to traineeships, apprenticeships and degree level courses in Hospitality & Tourism. You never know, you might be the next student picking up an award at the Institute of Hospitality Awards. Start your journey with SRC by checking available Hospitality, Food Manufacturing & Tourism courses.