Follow Coffee owner, Lesley McCaughan, pictured with (left) Alana Wilson, manager, and Amy Hutchinson, assistant manager, attending the prestigious awards ceremony last week.
In an industry where consistency and excellence are paramount, Follow Coffee on Greenvale Street in Ballymena has once again stood out by securing the Coffee Shop Manager of the Year Award at the 26th Institute of Hospitality NI Awards for Professionalism.
Alana Wilson, the 27-year-old manager of Follow Coffee, was honoured with this prestigious title on the evening of September 21, at the Culloden Estate & Spa, Belfast.
The event, which celebrates the pinnacle of hospitality professionalism in Northern Ireland, saw Alana outshine her peers from across the province.
This accolade marks the second consecutive year that Follow Coffee has been in the spotlight, with owner Lesley McCaughan winning the same award in 2023!
Proud Alana after being announced as Manager of the Year and receiving her award.
Alana, who has been with Follow Coffee for nearly six years, expressed her surprise and joy upon receiving the award. "I was absolutely shocked and excited," she shared. "It's really easy to talk about how much I love what I do! To get recognition for that work is incredibly rewarding."
The local woman highlighted the dynamic nature of her job and her appreciation for her team. "No two days are the same, which keeps things exciting. Our team works hard, supports each other, and importantly - has fun, making even the busiest days enjoyable," she added.
Alana doing what she loves.
FOLLOW FRENCH DIP: 16hr slowed cooked beef in a crusty bread roll, toons bridge smoked scamorza, slow cooked onions served with au jus.
When asked about her personal favourites from the menu, she recommended the French dip or the avocado toast, with her personal coffee choice being a cortado.
Alana described the favourite part of her job as "seeing the customer service training we work so hard on take effect with all our staff, and seeing how much our customers appreciate our hard work!"
Lesley pictured with Alana!
Lesley McCaughan, the owner, praised Alana's contributions, stating:
"Alana has been integral to our Follow family from the start. Her dedication to enhancing customer satisfaction and leading our team has been exceptional.
"We're very proud to see her grow in her management and leadership, and we are thrilled to see her efforts recognised by this award."
The Institute of Hospitality NI Awards, now in its 26th year, continues to honor the most talented individuals in the hospitality sector, focusing on those who make significant contributions to their field. The awards are a testament to the enduring commitment to excellence within Northern Ireland's hospitality industry.
It's never a good night out without a few obligatory selfies: (Left) Lesley pictured with Amy; (Right) Alana pictured with Amy.
Alana also extended her gratitude towards boss Lesley and colleague Amy for their support and for celebrating the achievement with her, emphasising the collaborative spirit at Follow Coffee.
This back-to-back win not only underscores the high standards set by Follow Coffee but also highlights the nurturing environment provided by Lesley McCaughan, which fosters growth, leadership, and exceptional service within her team.
As Ballymena's Follow Coffee basks in this glory, it continues to set a benchmark in the local and broader hospitality scene.
Follow Coffee owner, Lesley McCaughan, pictured with (left) Alana Wilson, manager, and Amy Hutchinson, assistant manager, attending the prestigious awards ceremony last week.