Neventh heaven as popular chef named businessman of the year
THE optimism that pervades the Cavan business and tourism sectors was very much apparent at the annual Anglo-Celt business awards' ceremony geared toward honouring commercial excellence. The overall winner on the night was celebrity chef Neven Maguire and his business MacNean House & Bistro in Blacklion; while the International Business Personality of the Year accolade went to Margaret Farrelly.
In the last five years the event has tracked the growth of the county's foremost business people across a wide range of sectors. With Cavan's burgeoning entrepreneurial sphere responding to the nationwide economic uplift, there was a distinct buzz at the Friday night extravaganza in the oppulent surroundings of the Slieve Russell Hotel in Ballyconnell.
This was an event that honoured the best of the county's business talent, ranging from the most established to the most promising. The headliners may have been the overall winner, but each nominee in the 11 individual categories displayed business excellence.
Undertaking the difficult task of selecting the winners were judges Marcella Rudden and Eamon Rice. As head of enterprise with the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Marcella has a unique insight into commercial endeavours in the county. Through that role she has fostered a myriad of local business assisting them in reaching their potential. Eamon, meanwhile, heads up ERC Consultancy Ltd through which he offers his wealth of experience to clients in the food and industrial sector. The host for the night was Newstalk business editor Vincent Wall.
A visibly emotional Neven Maguire topped the Gold Award Food Sector, before being announced as the overall winner. Addressing the gathering, the internationally renowned chef said: “It’s a privilege for me. To sit down among friends, reminisce and speak about the past. It all comes flooding back, what a special place it is. It’s difficult to communicate. And my customers travel from all over and they always say how welcoming and friendly people are in this county.
Having thanked his staff and family and stating several times how much he loves his job, Neven addressed the crowd: “It’s all about you guys and I’m very, very proud and I love Cavan.”
Another big winner on the night was Margaret Farrelly of O'Egg. In her acceptance speech, the Mullagh woman said: “When Yvonne rang to tell me about it, I was absolutely speechless and, when she listed off the previous winners, then I was like a fish out of water really, I felt so unworthy. I very much appreciate it and I’m not giving it back.”
The passion she feels for her enterprise was apparent in her address: “You know it is lovely to get the acknowledgement. Thank you to everyone that has supported us. From our smallest producer to our biggest customer, they’ve all added their fair share really.”
Head of the Anglo Celt Advertising department and co-ordinator of the Business and |Tourism Awards, Yvonne Jackson, said: “This was very much a celebration of the hard work and dedication put in by the business community of the county. We had a record number of entries for this years competition and it is important to recognise that everyone who was nominated is indeed a true winner. The entrepreneurial spirit that is part of the Cavan psyche is what has helped us through the recession and it is also what will provide a platform for our future growth.”
She had special thanks for the event's sponsors: Kelly, Rahill & Co; AIB Cavan; the Local Ent e r p r i s e O f f i c e , Cavan and the hosts, the Slieve R u s s e l l Hotel.