Search is on for Northern Ireland's hospitality stars

A total of 13 Awards will showcase the toast of the Northern Ireland hospitality industry.

To further widen the scope of the Awards for 2016, Hospitality Ulster has introduced a new Food & Beverage Manager of the Year Award to the 2016 line-up, which is open to entrants from pubs, restaurants and hotels.

Last year County Antrim bars had great success at the Awards picking up a number of titles including Best Bar Person for Nathaniel McAuley from Muriel’s Café Bar, Commitment to Local Food Restaurant for Tedfords, Commitment to the Community Hotel for La Mon Hotel & Country Club, Commitment to the Community Restaurant for 26 West Bar & Grill in Belfast and the Commitment to the Community Pub was scooped by the Front Page Bar in Ballymena.

This year’s Awards will once again recognise the growing importance of locally sourced food in pubs, hotels and restaurants, 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 (1* - 3*) and Hotel Bar of the Year (4* - 5*).

The 2016 Awards will look to the future, recognising up and coming talent with Hospitality Ulster’s Rising Star Award (in partnership with Ulster University), as well as paying tribute to those that have played a role in shaping the industry with a special Industry Legend Award (in partnership with Hospitality Review NI).

The closing date for entries for Hospitality Ulster’s Pub of the Year Awards 2016 is Wednesday, September 14. A final shortlist will be announced by the end of October, revealing the premises shortlisted in each Award.

For further information about the Pub of the Year Awards and to enter online, visit www.nipuboftheyear.org