Congratulations to ABode's 2010 Acorn Award winners!

For the 24th year running, a group of 30 young hospitality talents gathered to be honoured as members of the elite band of Acorn Award winners.

Christophe Hesbert, Operations Manager at ABode Chester, and Laura Morgan, Cluster HR Manager (Northwest) for ABode Hotels and Michael Caines Restaurants, were among this year's select group that represents the hospitality industry's elite ‘top 30 under 30', joining a group of rising stars who are considered its future leaders.

Christophe joined the ABode group in 2006 and has worked at ABode Exeter and ABode Manchester before taking over as Operations Manager at ABode Chester. Christophe believes in the value of training and apprentice programs such as the one in place at ABode as they provide great opportunities for young people in the hospitality profession. Says Christophe, "The industry can guarantee you a job for life and the opportunities are varied - whatever your strengths, you can find something to suit you."

Laura has also been with the ABode group since 2006. Her achievements at ABode include helping to introduce an apprentice scheme and working with JobCentre and a local college on a scheme to encourage people back into work.

The 2010 Acorn Awards weekend was hosted by ABode Chester, the latest addition to the ABode hotel group launched in 2005. The hotel is located in the HQ Building, a circular new-build on the southwestern edge of Chester's historic city centre, and yields stunning views of Chester Racecourse and the hills of North Wales.

As in all ABodes, Michael Caines' cuisine lies at the heart of the hotel. The ground floor boasts the AbarMC lounge bar and casual dining at the MC Café Bar & Grill while the fifth-floor Michael Caines Restaurant, under Executive Chef Stuart Collins, offers a high-level dining experience in every sense, inspired by Caines' acclaimed, award-winning modern European cuisine.