THE finalists have been announced for Southampton’s Hospitality Awards 2022.

Category sponsors have whittled the nominees down to the final three and are speaking to the finalists to get to know more about them, their roles and their achievements.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in February.

Southampton Region Hoteliers Association said this year’s event, with the backing of headline sponsor Radio Taxis, had proved popular after 2020 went without awards because of the pandemic.

The new awards have a new category, Lockdown Hero.

Nathan Chart, chair of Southampton Region Hoteliers Association, said: ‘’The pandemic has really taken its toll on the hospitality industry and through the awards, we are delighted to be able to show staff at the local hotels just how much they are valued. Those nominated and listed as finalists should be extremely proud and we can’t wait to find out the winners at the awards evening in February 2022.”

Finalists are as follows:

Rising Star of the Year (sponsored by Destination Southampton): Warren Howes, Holiday Inn Southampton; Ferozan Ebrahimi, Hilton at The Ageas Bowl; Lucy Whittington, Balmer Lawn Hotel.

Chef of the Year (Judged by Hampshire Fare): Tim Smith, New Place Hotel; Mark Surcliffe, DoubleTree Southampton; Jurgita Stulgiene, Solent Hotel & Spa.

Operational Excellence (sponsored by the Marketing Collective): Lorita Ilieva, Leonardo Royal Southampton Grand Harbour Hotel; Patina Farnham, Novotel Southampton; Mario Martinisi, New Place Hotel.

Top Team of the Year (sponsored by Comax UK): Holiday Inn Eastleigh; New Place Hotel; Hilton at the Ageas Bowl.

Community Award (sponsored by GO! Southampton): Novotel Southampton; Holiday Inn Express Southampton M27 J7; New Place Hotel.

Sales and Revenue of the Year (sponsored by Hotelcare, judged by Alder Hospitality Management): Jon Fisher, New Place Hotel; Sales and Revenue Team, Hilton at The Ageas Bowl; Angela Lawrence, Doubletree by Hilton Southampton.

Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by Fire Hospitality): John Ray, Novotel Southampton; Richard Fletcher, Holiday Inn Eastleigh; Suzanne Lyle, New Place.

Lockdown Hero Award (sponsored by The So SO Show): Joe Ridd, Solent Hotel & Spa; Toni Martin, Jurys and Leonardo Royal Southampton Grand Harbour Hotel; Michael Clitheroe, Balmer Lawn Hotel.

Headline sponsor Radio Taxis will judge and announce the Best of the Rest category which will give a second chance to all remaining finalists.