Many will know Caroline Chamber as a lecturer at Southern Regional College. Having taught students for twenty years this unsung heroine has taken her place in the spotlight with a Hearts in Hospitality Award. Awarded by Aaron Logan, Northern Ireland Regional Chair of the Institute of Hospitality Caroline was presented with her Award at a celebration event for hospitality students on Tuesday 30th April.
The Hearts in Hospitality Award is a global initiative recognising and celebrating the dedication of hospitality workers, those committed to helping others and go that extra mile. Caroline was nominated for the award by her manager Michelle Moore, who was once a student of Carolines too. After conducting focus groups among students since 2019, where Caroline’s praises were being sung by students, Michelle was determined that Caroline should be recognised by the industry too.
Caroline has trained many individuals, seeking out placement opportunities for students within the sector, organising events and being 100% committed to the success of her students. Michelle commented:
“Caroline is always nominating her students for awards, and in June last year she was delighted that Claire Ward, one of her Foundation Degree Hospitality students won the Institute of Hospitality ‘Student Management Potential Award’. I decided that Caroline herself should be recognised for being so committed to hospitality and am delighted that Caroline has won a Hearts in Hospitality Award.”
An award is not an inevitable consequence of a nomination being made. An independent panel of industry professionals meet several times a times to assess the merit of the nomination and determine if the nominee is a worthy recipient of an award.
Speaking on her Award Caroline commented:
“I really appreciate being nominated never mind being a recipient for a Hearts in Hospitality Award. Being recognised for your hard work and dedication is tremendously rewarding. There are many other worthy winners in the College, so it was a lovely surprise to hear I was an inspiration to students and colleagues.”
Speaking after the event, Aaron Logan commented “It was great to recognise such talent in the room and to be with so many who are so passionate and fuelled with energy for the industry!”