(left to right) David McHattie, chief executive of the National Skills Academy for Hospitality, David Hennigan 2010 Restaurant Manager of the Year, Academy of Food & Wine Patron Lord Thurso MP

UK Restaurant Manager of the Year 2010 revealed

18th May 2010, 10:30am

David Hennigan of The Crown at Whitebrook and Celtic Manor in Monmouthshire, has been crowned the 2010 UK Restaurant Manager of the Year following a final held yesterday at Babylon restaurant at the Roof Gardens, London.

Hennigan commented on his achievement: "I was very humbled to be chosen as a finalist, but then to be picked from this line-up of six such strong restaurant managers is incredible."

Judge Paul Breach, vice chairman of the Academy of Food & Wine, added: "David's written submission was very financially orientated and thorough – he was the only finalist the panel would have invested its money in. David demonstrated to the judges that he had a very broad skill set in food and wine, business and training. He is also a very good communicator. When challenged his answers were considered and knowledgeable."

The UK Restaurant Manager of the Year, organised by the Academy of Food & Wine and supported by the National Skills Academy for Hospitality, the Savoy Educational Trust and sponsored by OpenTable, sets out to find a top class restaurant manager with great business acumen, fantastic people skills, the ability to recruit, manage and motivate a team and who also has a thorough knowledge of the restaurant trade.

Every aspect of the competitors' skill was put to the test in a final that included a wine tasting, wine and food matching test, management skill scenario, and a task involving finding errors on a menu and mistakes in a room laid out ready for service.

Each finalist was also asked to write and present a written business plan for a new restaurant launch on which they were questioned by a panel of expert judges acting as would-be investors. 

This year's judges included top industry personalities Silvano Giraldin, formerly of Le Gavroche, Peter Avis, restaurant manager, Babylon at The Roof Gardens, London (last year's Restaurant Manager of the Year), and David Morgan-Hewitt, managing director, The Goring, London.

Hennigan has won a study-tour week in New York, staying at top Manhatten boutique hotel, The MAve, in the trendy Flatiron District to complete a stage at one of Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group properties. The Crown at Whitebrook will receive a complimentary 12-month subscription to the OpenTable reservation system.

Michele Caggianese, restaurant manager at Galvin at Windows, London Hilton on Park Lane, was runner-up.

Related Articles:

• 05 Jan 2011 - The search begins for 2011 UK Restaurant Manager of the Year
• 09 Sep 2010 - Babylon Restaurant introduces 'Glitz and Glamour' this Christmas
• 10 Mar 2010 - Finalists revealed for UK Restaurant Manager of the Year
• 16 Jun 2009 - Peter Avis wins UK Restaurant Manager of the Year award

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