LCN Awards back with a bang!

LCN Awards back with a bang!

Everyone knows well how challenging the past two years have been, so it’s great to again bring some cheer and celebrate the best of hospitality with the return of the LCN Awards.

Now in their 14th year, the Awards will return to Belfast’s Europa Hotel on Friday, September 30.

Last time out, in 2019, the LCN Awards really was the Greatest Show as West End star Peter Corry, above, brought elements of his latest show, The Showman is Coming to the stage.

Combining the passion of Moulin Rouge, the spectacle of Barnum and the magic of The Greatest Showman, the performance proved the perfect backdrop for a night that went down in LCN legend with more than 450 guests from across the hospitality trade joining us to celebrate.

Niall McKenna, below, the culinary genius behind James St and Waterman House, knows well what it is to win an LCN Award having previously been named restaurateur of the year.

He told LCN: “A lot of different people do awards, but the LCN ones have been around a long time, and they are the voice of the industry, so they are really credible.

“It’s great to have them back at the Europa and for friends and colleagues in the industry to be able to meet again, catch up and have what will undoubtedly be a great night.”

James McGinn, Hastings managing director and former manager at the Europa, told LCN: “The last event was superb, the razzle dazzle, Greatest Showman. It was the best yet. We are really looking forward to what comes next.”

Hasting MD James McGinn is a huge fan of the LCN Awards

What comes next will be a bigger and bolder event than any previous LCN Awards, with more than 500 entrants battling it out across 17 categories to win the most prestigious gong in NI hospitality.

Entry is free and all finalists and winners are guaranteed great coverage with the winners selected after a rigorous process and independent judging by Spotcheck NI.

Having previously picked up the Hotel of the Year (over 75 rooms) for Galgorm Spa and Resort, the Galgorm Collection’s Colin Johnston told LCN he can’t wait for the return of an award night which gives everyone in the industry a huge lift.

“It’s great to have the LCN Awards back… it has been long anticipated.

“It really is the go-to event for the industry, and it will be fantastic to have everyone back in the room again and I know everyone is looking forward to it.

“As for the Awards themselves, they will serve as a real morale booster after what has been a tough time for everyone. We are all now open again, and the direction of travel has changed.

Galgorm Collection’s Colin Johnston knows staff at all their properties get a trill out of being nominted

“I know from experience how much of a buzz being nominated gives our teams who thrive on chance to win and get a real kick out making everything the best it can be and even the thought of inspectors popping in.

“If you actually go on to get an award that’s the icing on the cake. They are second to none.”

Three-time winner Thomas Doherty, of Mary’s bar/Secrets Nightclub in Magherafelt shares Colin’s thoughts when it comes to the big night, saying: “In our experience, the LCN Awards are the stand-out awards in NI hospitality, no question.”

So, get filling in that entry form, splash out on a new party dress, book the hairdresser, or dust off the dinner jacket for the best night in the Northern Ireland hospitality calendar bar none. The LCN Awards are back!

You can enter the awards online HERE

Remember too, that all finalists will have a complimentary VIP ticket for the big gala evening in Belfast next year.

So don’t delay, be among the first to enter the Licensed & Catering News Awards 2022 and be part of the biggest event in the local industry’s calendar.

For further information or to book your table, call Jordan Murray on: 028 9045 7457 or email Jordan.murray@pentonpublications.co.uk