The head chef and deputy manager of a historic Ledbury hotel have won awards for their hard work.

Suzie Isaacs and Phil Mcnally, who both work at the Feathers Hotel, were named Head Chef of the Year and Deputy Manager of the Year at The Coaching Inn Group’s annual awards.

They picked up their prizes in front of more than 300 colleagues at a gathering in Lincoln.

Ledbury-born Suzie joined the Feathers as a commis chef more than 20 years ago after leaving John Masefield High School.

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She enjoyed it so much she dropped her plans to go to university and has now been head chef at the hotel for 11 years.

Suzie and her eight-strong team stepped up a gear when the Coaching Inn Group acquired the Feathers and recently carried out a £350,000 transformation of all its public areas to include a new coffee shop and eatery.

“Instead of serving meals at the traditional times we are now open from 7.30am until 9.30pm so if you feel like a steak with all the trimmings in the late afternoon then it’s now available,” she said.

“We have a great camaraderie here and work wonderfully well together as a team so I can honestly say that even after 22 years I still enjoy every minute of it.”

Phil, who grew up in nearby Malvern, joined the Feathers’ front of house team in 2016 and was made deputy manager 18 months ago.

“I simply love the variety of my overall role assisting in all departments from front of house to restaurant and bars at busy times and meeting our visitors and many regular customers,” he said.

Kevin Charity, chief executive officer of The Coaching Inn Group, said both Suzie and Phil were most worthy winners of the awards.

Dave Simms, group executive chef for The Coaching Inn Group, added: “Suzie’s great enthusiasm and absolute commitment to her role and the development of others is truly an inspiration to us all within the Coaching Inn family. 

“She continuously goes from strength to strength on her own development journey and I am tremendously proud of her and her team here at the Feather’s.”