The Southampton and Region Hoteliers Association launched a new award scheme back in July of 2018 and with a month to go until the awards ceremony, the finalists for each category have just been announced. A ‘meet the finalist' afternoon took place mid-December 2018 where the sponsors met with their finalists to allow them to choose their category winner.

The 2018 Hospitality Awards, sponsored by Cab My Ride, have been designed to seek out high achievers the hotels which provide the best customer service, guest satisfaction and market growth.

Richard Groome, general manager at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel and founder of the awards, says: ‘'There is so much talent within our industry and every one of the finalists is a deserving winner in our eyes! The awards are edging closer and we couldn't be more excited!''

The awards ceremony will take place on February 8, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Southampton.

Tickets for the ceremony are still available and part of the proceeds from their sale will go to the charity FareShare, which saves food from going to waste and redistributes it to frontline charities.

The award finalists are:

Mentor of the Year (sponsored by The Marketing Collective)

Finalist 1: Edward Francis from New Place Hotel

Finalist 2: Claus Christensen from Hilton at The Ageas Bowl

Finalist 3: Ben Cutting from Solent Hotel & Spa

Rising Star of the Year (sponsored by Fire Hospitality)

Finalist 1: Mario Martinisi from Hilton at The Ageas Bowl

Finalist 2: Abigail Russell from Grand Harbour Hotel

Finalist 3: Jacinta Martin from New Place Hotel

Young Chef of the Year (Under 25 years) (sponsored by City College Southampton)

Finalist 1: Jack Gillet-Bailey from Grand Harbour Hotel

Finalist 2: Steven Cross from Best Western Chilworth Manor Hotel

Finalist 3: Adam Saunders at Solent Hotel & Spa

Front of House of the Year

Finalist 1: Kam Yee Lo from Jurys Inn Southampton

Finalist 2: Claire Abbott from Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Southampton

Finalist 3: Viv Stockwell from Best Western Chilworth Manor Hotel

Top Team of the Year (sponsored by West Quays Cars)

Finalist 1: Conference & Event Team from Southampton Harbour Hotel

Finalist 2: The Concierge Team from Grand Harbour Hotel

Finalist 3: The Kitchen Team from Best Western Chilworth Manor Hotel

Business in the Community (sponsored by Town or Country Serviced Apartments)

Finalist 1: Marc Solarz from Holiday Inn Winchester

Finalist 2: Kate House from Hilton at The Ageas Bowl

Finalist 3: Everyone from Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Southampton

Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by ElemenTel)

Finalist 1: Linda Witt from Holiday Inn Southampton

Finalist 2: Socrates Gogos from New Place Hotel

Finalist 3: Denise Blackstock from Best Western Chilworth Manor Hotel

Heart of House of the Year

Finalist 1: Angela Stutchbury from Grand Harbour Hotel

Finalist 2: Gary Falconer from Southampton Harbour Hotel

Finalist 3: Joe Lythe from Best Western Chilworth Manor Hotel

Sales & Revenue person of the Year (sponsored by ibookedonline)

Finalist 1: Lorna Chatterley from Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Southampton

Finalist 2: Jo Bennet from Best Western Chilworth Manor Hotel

Finalist 3: Amy Ayers from Holiday Inn Winchester