Hospitality businesses across Co Tyrone are preparing for this year’s Irish Restaurant Awards ahead of the Ulster regional awards on Tuesday.
The awards, run by the Restaurant Association of Ireland, recognise the best restaurants and bars in the country, with the first awards given out on a county by county basis at a glam event in the Hillgrove Hotel on 21 March.
Among those to have been nominated for Best Restaurant Manager was Terri McNeice from an old Coalisland favourite, the Mill Court.
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Terri said receiving the nomination in the post was a ‘complete surprise’ and said it was nice to be recognised by local people who enjoy visiting the restaurant.
“It was a complete surprise as I didn’t even know that award existed,” Terri said.
“It’s lovely because you do work hard and you do try to make sure the food is good and is nice for people, it’s nice to be recognised for all that stuff.
“You couldn’t do it on your own either, the staff all enjoy what they do and they just come in and get on with it.
“It takes a whole team to make this a success, I’ve been nominated yes but it takes everybody here to be doing what they’re doing.”
A host of restaurants and pubs will battle it out to be the local winner of a range of categories at Tuesday night’s event, and Terri said it’s only right that businesses in the industry are recognised for what they do.
“Sometimes I think hospitality gets a bad rap for different things, but a lot of people work very hard to make it what it is.
“It’s a big industry here and I think it needs a bit more recognition.
“A lot of people wouldn’t realise at times the amount of work that goes into getting ready for one sitting or one event - so best of luck to everyone who is up for an award.”
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