Andrea Burke named IHF national hotel employee of the year
Pictured: Denyse Campbell of IHF; Andrea Burke, winner of the IHF award and Tim Fenn of IHF
Andrea Burke, Food and Beverage team leader at Sligo Park Hotel, has been named the 23/24 Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) National Employee of the Year. Now in its seventh year, the awards celebrate and recognise hotel team members who have made an outstanding contribution to their workplace.
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 a Level 6 Diploma in Leadership and Supervisory Management at the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB. This forged a pathway for promotion to Team Leader for the Bar and Restaurant in 2020, and Andrea has continued to further her development – most recently undertaking a degree in Bar Management at Griffith College Dublin, a Level 7 qualification.
Members of the Irish Hotels Federation nominated more than 150 candidates who have consistently shown outstanding hospitality from their hotel/guesthouse to go forward for their regional IHF Branch award.
The full shortlist of nominees for the award were Chloe Twomey of Vienna Woods Hotel; Gabriela Rodrigues of Clanree Hotel; Leyre Veloso Cruz of Conrad Dublin; Ilaria de Filippo of The Galmont Hotel and Spa; Maria Maye of Killarney Avenue Hotel; Kay Bourke of The Westport Woods Hotel; Austin Delaney of Midlands Park Hotel; Saidhbhe Donegan of Headfort Arms Hotel; Andrea Burke of Sligo Park Hotel; Alice Macauley of Newpark Hotel; Hannah Pike of Shannon Springs Hotel and Cyril Brennan of Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort.
Denyse Campbell, president, IHF, said: “Her remarkable dedication, tireless efforts, and unwavering focus on delivering exceptional service to guests are truly commendable. We are all indebted to the remarkable teams of hotel and guesthouse employees nationwide, whose continuous efforts elevate guests’ experiences every day. 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.
“There has never been a better time to embark on a career in tourism, with an abundance of exciting prospects available for people at every stage of their career journey. The Employee of the Year award allows us to express our gratitude for the invaluable contributions made by hotel team members each day, as they deliver world-class hospitality experiences.”
