Hadley Park House Hotel’s Chef becomes Unsung Hero
A Chef from Hadley Park House Hotel who braves a daily 16-mile-round-trip to work on his bicycle, is never late and – in fifteen years on the job – has never had a day off sick, has been announced as the recipient of an Unsung Hero accolade.
Nick Dodd is Hadley Park’s longest serving employee, having joined the independent Telford hotel as a kitchen porter direct from school. The Unsung Hero award was launched by Hobart, a renowned market leader in commercial catering equipment, who established a nationwide campaign to uncover back-of-house stars.
Nick was nominated for the award by Hadley Park Hotel Director, Mark Lewis who saw details of the competition in the trade press: “I automatically thought, ‘I’ve got just the candidate’ – Nick’s been with us all of his working life – we’ve proudly watched his skill base increase to see him blossom to a full-time chef. His dedication is incredible; he’s always in work at 6am, whatever the weather – you can set your watch by him! He’s a real example to the younger people in the kitchen – a true role model.”
Nick’s unswerving dedication and his rise through the ranks impressed the judges and saw him scoop the top award. As reward, his kitchen will now receive one of Hobart’s brand new, state-of- the-art under counter warewashers.
Nick commented: “It feels great to be recognised as an Unsung Hero – and is made all the more sweet as 2014 marks my fifteenth year in the job. I came here as a kitchen porter and have been able to progress to breakfast and pastry chef. The Hadley Park team has been good to me; my commitment is a way of paying them back.”
Speaking about the prize, he said: “The new Hobart warewasher will really help take the pressure off the kitchen – it couldn’t have come at a better time, as our existing machine is way past its retirement age!”
Asked for the secret to never having a day off sick, Nick revealed: “The sixteen mile bike ride to-and-from work helps keep illness at bay – that and a love for the job.”
Tim Bender, UK sales director – Warewashing at Hobart UK, said: “Congratulations to Nick on his quite remarkable dedication. The faith his employer has shown in him has been repaid ten-fold and so we’re delighted to reward both him and his brigade with a new machine. The campaign was set up for people like him – we’re proud to herald him as a true Unsung Hero.”
Hadley Park House Hotel & Dorrells Restaurant Telford
