A former Buxton & Leek College catering student has been recognised for his customer service skills at a national awards ceremony.
20 year old Mitchell Collier, from Leek, who studied Hospitality at the College’s Buxton Campus, was shortlisted as a finalist in the Customer Service Star of the Year award run by Boutique Hotelier.
The young Guest Relations Assistant, who works at Raymond Blanc’s Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in Oxfordshire, rubbed shoulders with industry professionals from the country’s top luxury and boutique hotels at a glittering awards ceremony in London. He was one of just five finalists in his category with the competition attracting more than 260 nominations from 100 hotels.
Mitchell was pipped to the post by Jean-Luc Bouchereau from Villa Magdala in Bath whom judges finally chose after being bowled over by the number of Trip Advisor reviewers who commented on his willingness to go above and beyond for guests.
Mitchell, who attended Buxton & Leek College in 2014, said: “It has been an incredible two years since I left Buxton & Leek College, from working at the beautiful South Lodge Hotel in West Sussex and then moving on to Belmond Le Manoir. It has been such a wonderful and informative experience and I continue to learn so much for my colleagues in the hospitality industry.
“Being nominated for the award was overwhelming and being shortlisted in the top 5 from hundreds of UK hotels is an incredible achievement in itself – I am incredibly proud to have been recognised.
“We are currently nominated for ‘Front of House Team of the Year’ by the Hotel Cateys, which will be taking place in November – it is an honour to be part of such a committed and talented team who continue to strive for perfection.”
