Rachael Park wins AA Housekeeper of the Year 2009

Rachael Park, head housekeeper at Rudding Park Hotel & Golf in Harrogate has been crowned as the AA’s Housekeeper of the Year for 2009.

Park, who has worked at the hotel since it opened in 1997, saw off the challenge of 60 nominees including Sara Meek at Hartwell House Hotel, Restaurant & Spa in Buckinghamshire and Amelia Lawrence at the Athenaeum hotel in London’s Mayfair who were named as runners-up.

Speaking after she was awarded the prize, Park said: “Since leaving catering college and starting my career as an assistant housekeeper, I have always strived to put into this job all of my enthusiasm and dedication to ensure I reach the top and provide our guests with the most comfortable and cleanest hotel possible.  I am so proud to have been given this award.”

Giovanna Grossi, AA Hotel Services group area manager, added: “Rachael was selected as the overall winner not only due to her housekeeping standards, which are consistently of the highest quality, but to her commitment to her team of staff and her dedication to her frequently demanding role which she manages with admirable efficiency.”

AA Hotel Services launched the Housekeeper of the Year award last year, to recognise and reward housekeepers, who are often unheralded but play a vital role.

The awards are sponsored by hospitality products manufacturer Northmace & Hendon. 

The award marks another success for Harrogate housekeepers  – Jean Roberts, from the Hotel du Vin in the north Yorkshire town, picked up Housekeeper of the Year in the 2008 Hotel Cateys.

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By Daniel Thomas

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