The Roxburghe's Awinash Kumar wins banqueting award

Awinash Kumar, conferencing and events operations manager at four-star hotel, The Roxburghe, has been recognised as the Scottish hotel industrys top banqueting team member. Picture: supplied

He was named Banqueting Individual of the Year at this year’s glittering Scottish Hotel Awards ceremony at the Sheraton Grand Hotel.

The award win celebrates Awinash’s key role in delivering events of all scales as part of the hotel’s conferencing and events offering.

Bosses at the Charlotte Square-based Roxburghe said Awinash was known for leading his team effectively and ensuring guests enjoyed the highest possible standards of service across a range of events, from weddings to workplace conferences.

Awinash, an integral part of The Roxburghe’s team for almost six years, began his career with work experience at the Taj Hari Mahal in Jodhpur, India, before moving to the UK.

Following stints as a food and beverage assistant with Novotel and conferencing and banqueting supervisor at Murrayfield Stadium, he joined The Roxburghe team as conferencing and events supervisor in 2010, working his way through the ranks to become conferencing and events operations manager in 2013.

Despite being unable to attend the awards due to the birth of his first child, Awinash was delighted to hear news of his accolade.

Awinash said: “I’m absolutely honoured to have received an award, particularly against the tough competition from across the country.

“The banqueting team at The Roxburghe is fantastic and I feel lucky to be a part of it.

“We take pride in everything we do and have an unwavering focus on our guests and their enjoyment. I really love my job and I think this award reflects just that.”

Marcello Ventisei, general manager at The Roxburghe, said: “I couldn’t be happier for Awinash – he thoroughly deserves this award in recognition of the fantastic work he does every day at the hotel.

“We have an outstanding banqueting team here at The Roxburghe, and Awinash is a star within that team, as well as being an integral member of the hotel management team.

“He’s always willing to give that extra bit of effort to make sure our guests are delighted with the service they receive.

“I always hear great feedback about Awinash from visitors and colleagues alike.”

The Roxburghe was also named as a regional winner for Edinburgh and the Lothians in the categories of Brand Hotel of the Year and Business Hotel of the Year, whilst hotel staff member Paul Mack picked up the regional Concierge of the Year award.