An Ayrshire restaurant supremo has been awarded a coveted gong at Scotland's 'hospitality Oscars'.
Buzzworks Holdings chairman Colin Blair is celebrating after scooping a DRAM lifetime achievement prize at the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022.
Mr Blair is well known for having helped to create one of the most successful hospitality businesses in Scotland – and was given the accolade for his long-standing commitment to the sector at a glitzy ceremony in Glasgow.
From his humble beginnings of pulling pints in a Kilwinning community boozer, he now runs 16 successful businesses across the country and oversees all acquisitions and development as co-owner of Buzzworks.
Mr Blair said: “I am absolutely over the moon and humbled to receive such a prestigious accolade which reflects all of the incredible hard work put in by all of those involved in our family business.
“It is an honour to be recognised for our achievements and to see our business continue to flourish even after a challenging few years. I can’t wait to see what else the future holds for Buzzworks.”
Now in their 27th year, The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards – dubbed the hospitality Oscars – celebrate Scotland’s licensed trade and shine a spotlight on all aspects of the industry, featuring stand-out pubs up and down the country in more than 24 categories.
More than 600 people from Scotland's licensed trade gathered together to celebrate the award winners and finalists and to party to Abba MANIA.
Susan Young, editor and owner of DRAM Magazine, said: “Colin Blair has been in the hospitality industry for some 44 years and his passion for creating great places to spend time in, his passion for doing things really well, and his determination to be the best you can has helped created one of Scotland’s most successful hospitality businesses – Buzzworks.
“He is not afraid to take calculated risks, his attention to detail is legendary, he has evolved the business, adapting and being progressive at every turn, and is a leader in the true sense of the word.
"He convinces others to follow his lead and inspires confidence in other people and moves them to action. He is an inspiration to all that know him and that is why he is our 2022 recipient of the DRAM lifetime achievement award."
Buzzworks Holdings is one of Scotland’s fastest-growing independent restaurant and bar operators, managing 16 prestigious venues across east, west and central Scotland with more on the way and over 650 staff.
The company recently earned a place on the best companies list for best places to work in the UK and is now recruiting for all levels of chef, front of house and management staff across all venues.
For those interested in applying for a role, Buzzworks has various vacancies on its website, as well as further information on its Buzzworks People Facebook page and Instagram.
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