Luxury Dakota Hotel in Manchester celebrates as one of the hotel’s employees is awarded a prestigious Caterer Acorn Award – which celebrates 30 of the industry’s most talented stars aged under 30 across the UK.
Katie Forrest, aged 26, is one of two Manchester shining stars to be awarded one of the
industry’s most well-known awards.
Katie, who has been a valued team member at Dakota Hotels for over seven years, worked her way up from a university placement role as a meetings and events coordinator to people development manager, where she has successfully recruited 120 members of staff at Dakota Manchester and despite covid has grown the hotel’s workforce by 25% since March 2020.
Katie’s ambition also ensured that Dakota Manchester was awarded a place in Caterer’s ‘Best Places to Work in Hospitality’ in 2020.
Her aim was to support all staff during the pandemic, which she did by organising motivational incentives, including ‘thank-you’ lunches for the team and a ‘Lockdown Legends’ recognition programme – which ensured the team remained engaged and motivated throughout the difficulties of the pandemic.
Outside her day-to-day responsibilities, Katie champions the hospitality industry by acting as a guest lecturer for Manchester Metropolitan University, lecturing once a fortnight to support young people in lieu of work experience.
Additionally, Katie partners with ReachOut: a mentoring charity working with young people in disadvantaged communities, helping them grow in character and attainment.
Katie also hosts interactive workshops for people looking to kickstart their career and provides insight into what a career in hospitality may look like.
Now appointed as Branch Secretary for the Northwest region of Institute of Hospitality, Katie is using her position to ensure roles within the industry are valued, and hospitality is seen as a prosperous career path to undertake.
Katie says, “I feel incredibly lucky to be in a position where I can inspire and guide young people who are keen to kick-start a career in hospitality.
Since the start of my career at Dakota Hotels, I have come so far and learnt so much that I want to share with others. Winning an Acorn Award is definitely my biggest career highlight so far and I’m excited to see what else is to come in the future!”
Since 1986, the Acorn Awards affectionately known as the 30 under 30, have sought to
recognise the brightest prospects in the hospitality industry, who go above and beyond their job role.
This year’s Acorn Awards ceremony was held at South Lodge Hotel on Sunday 18th and Monday 19th July.
To view the full list of winners, please visit Acorn Awards website.
