Staff praised for dedication as Northern Sands is named as Scotland's Hotel Restaurant of the Year
A Caithness hotel owner has praised the dedication and commitment of his staff after they achieved a double success in a national awards scheme.
The Northern Sands at Dunnet was named as Hotel Restaurant of the Year for the north region in the Food Awards Scotland 2022 – and went on to win the overall title for Scotland in that category.
Theresa MacGregor, one of three people representing the Northern Sands at the presentation ceremony in the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow on Monday night, said they were "totally shocked" to win the regional accolade and that taking the Scotland-wide honour was "the icing on the cake".
Owner Martin Nicolson spent £750,000 on refurbishing the hotel after buying it in December 2016. He reopened it in May 2017.
Mr Nicolson, who was unable to attend this week's event, said: “The hotels that we were up against are at the very top of the heap, so to win that is amazing. I am so happy for the team and the effort that they put in.
“What I said when we got nominated was that it's all right for me to put the tools in place but it's these guys that operate it and they deserve all the accolades, without a shadow of a doubt – the team in the hotel.
“I think it's due to the dedication of the staff and their commitment. We have the same staff all year round and that helps the team to build together. We're not chopping and changing – the core of the team is there the whole time.
“I think it's telling that we get so much repeat business, the people who come from near and far to us. We are only a 12-bedroom hotel but the repeat business we get from locals, and from people within Caithness and Sutherland, is amazing.
“And we use all local suppliers. The emphasis is on fresh produce the whole time, and we get deliveries every day.
“For a wee village we're doing not too bad. I'm absolutely delighted.”
Miss MacGregor, company manager for Blargoans and the Northern Sands, was accompanied by head chef Darren Munro and chef de partie Ryan Colquhoun at the ceremony.
“We were totally shocked – I thought we were just going for a night out," Miss MacGregor said. "Who we were up against was amazing.
"We were delighted just to be listed as a finalist. We didn't even know that once you'd won the regional, you would then go head-to-head for Scotland.
"That was just the icing on the cake – we couldn't believe it.
“We've never been to anything like that before and we still don't know how we got nominated.
“I think it's just great teamwork and everybody working really hard. Everybody is dedicated and they have all gelled together.”
Miss MacGregor pointed out that the head chef, the chef de partie and sous-chef Stefan Cunningham have all been part of the team since the hotel reopened.
“In hospitality you have such a turnover of staff, so we are dead lucky that we have those three that have remained with us. It was such a shame that all three couldn't go,” she said.
The Food Awards Scotland 2022 recognised the success of professionals and establishments "that continue to deliver great flavours and experiences to their customers".
A spokesperson for the awards said: “It is true that Scotland combines tastes and flavours from all over the world, where visitors can find different restaurants, gastro pubs and bistros, to meet their needs. We would like to congratulate all finalists and winners for their achievements.”
Other finalists in the Hotel Restaurant of the Year north region included Thainstone House (Inverurie), Pineapple Grill and Seafood at Meldrum House Country Hotel (Oldmeldrum), Boath House Restaurant and Rooms (near Nairn), Coul House Hotel (Contin), Bunchrew House (near Inverness) and Kylesku Hotel.
