A prized employee at a Galway city centre hotel is this year’s Irish Hotels Federation Galway Branch Employee of the Year – for what her colleagues described as her cool head and her customer service.

Joanne Murray, Chef de Partie at the Skeffington Arms Hotel, received her prize at an awards lunch at the Oranmore Lodge Hotel, where guests gathered to celebrate and recognise nine nominees from hotels and guesthouses across Galway who have made an outstanding contribution to their workplace.

Joanne began working in the Skeffington Arms Hotel seven years ago.

In her role she covers various areas including menu planning, cooking and dealing with suppliers to ensure the hotel secures the best produce at the right price.

Joanne’s colleagues agreed she always keeps a cool head ‘and is always polite and respectful when dealing with all members of the team no matter their department’.

“Even through a busy service she will deal with all queries from the floor with knowledge and good humour,” they added.

Congratulating Joanne on the award, IHF Galway Branch Chair, Padraig Nolan said the judges highlighted her awareness to constantly adapt to customer needs, ability to create memorable culinary experiences for guests and openness to look out for new ideas to enhance the hotel’s food offering.

At the event, IHF President, Michael Magner congratulated all the nominees and spoke about how tourism and hospitality play a major role in our economy, and that our teams are the reason for that success as Ireland’s largest indigenous employer, supporting over 270,000 livelihoods – including over 22,000 jobs throughout Galway.

The members of the IHF Galway Branch wish Joanne the very best of luck as she goes on to represent them at the upcoming National IHF Employee of the Year Awards which will be held during the IHF’s Annual Conference at the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, in late February.

Pictured: IHF Galway Employee of the Year Joanne Murray (second left) of the Skeffington Arms Hotel, with (from left) Padraig Nolan, Chairperson Galway Branch IHF & General Manager, Oranmore Lodge Hotel; finalists Iker Izaguirre, Maldron Hotel, Oranmore; Padraig Mac Cathmhaoil, Clayton Hotel; Clodagh McDonald, Galmont Hotel; Sandra Lydon, Ard Rí House Hotel; Renan Gracia Crosatti, Ardilaun Hotel, and IHF National President Michael Magner. Photo: Brian Harding.