A better class of dinner guest
As one of those lucky enough to attend the Hotel Cateys on November 12th I was struck yet again by the generosity of spirit within our industry.
The behaviour of guests at many of the awards bashes I have been to in the drinks, media and publishing world can be shameful. The announcements of worthy winners are often drowned out by chatter and I have even witnessed a famous host being booed off the stage. Not so the Hotel Cateys where 750 professionals applauded their peers with gusto and allowed each winner their well-deserved moment of glory. Perhaps the loudest cheers came from rival finalists - a perfect example of the generous attitude of hotel and catering people.
If asked to dream up the ideal dinner guests I would not hestitate to include colleagues within the trade - a more courteous group of men and women would be hard to find.