By Vanessa Cavasinni, editor Australian Hotelier
Gallagher Hotels has picked up a record 19 nominations for the 2016 AHA NSW Awards for Excellence.
The Union Hotel, which has picked up eight nominations. Image courtesy of Facebook.
With 42 categories in total, the pub group best known for its P.J. Gallaghers Irish pubs, has been nominated for almost half of all the awards to be presented. Scott Leach president of AHA NSW, congratulated the hotel group on their distinction in the industry in the last twelve months.
“This really is indicative of the excellence of our venues right across the state,” Leach said. “To be up for 19 individual categories, on such a competitive night as the Awards for Excellence, really is a credit to the Gallagher Hotel Group, led so ably by Pat and Angela.”
Angela Gallagher told TheShout that she was very pleased with the nominations.
“We’re really excited. For us, it’s a fantastic night for the industry and we’re so proud to be a part of it.”
Leading Gallagher Hotels’ nominations is The Union Hotel in North Sydney, which has been nominated for eight awards, including Best Casual Dining City Northern, Chef of the Year and the major award, Hotel of the Year City. Gallagher believes that the the pub’s focus on quality staffing accounts for its latest success.
“We’ve been a lot more focused in the last couple of years on the food and the service. We’ve been trying really hard to find the right calibre and character of staff. We’ve been improving the team in that venue.”
Six other Gallagher Hotels venues are nominated for awards, and the group is also nominated for Group Operator of the Year.
The AHA NSW Awards for Excellence will be held on 29 November at The Star Event Centre, with 1200 industry members to be attending.