Search begins for province's hospitality stars

A total of 13 awards will showcase the vibrancy of the industry in the province and the appeal of the event has been broadened this year with the addition of a new food and beverage manager Award to the 2016 line-up.

Three Pub of the Year Awards up for grabs, recognising the best pubs and bars in rural, urban and city locations across Northern Ireland.

This year’s event will again recognise the growing importance of locally sourced food through three Commitment to Local Food Awards, in partnership with Food NI.

A Commitment to the Community Award will recognise immense contribution hospitality businesses make within their local communities. And in the Hotel Bar of the Year category, there will be two Awards: Hotel Bar of the Year, one to three star and four to five star.

“As our Hospitality industry continues to grow and diversify, so too does the breadth and reach of Hospitality Ulster’s Pub of the Year Awards,” said Hospitality Ulster chair Olga Walls.

“With each year, we have introduced new award categories to recognise not just our fantastic local pubs and bars, but also our amazing restaurants and world class hotels.

Whilst our three ‘Pub of the Year Awards’ – recognising best in class urban, city and rural pubs – remain a very important part of our celebrations this year, it is also important we recognise the diverse range of businesses that make up the Northern Ireland hospitality industry

“I would encourage all pubs, hotels and restaurants to get involved and enter this year’s Awards as we strive to celebrate the real heroes of the hospitality industry.”