Elements of Byron has been recognised at the NSW Accommodation Australia Awards for Excellence 2024 held on Thursday 18 July. The luxury beachfront resort – which is located on the pristine shores of Byron Bay’s famed Belongil Beach – picked up two awards at the black-tie event at The Fullerton in Sydney last night.
Elements of Byron Executive Chef, Ebony Baker, took out the coveted Chef of The Year category, while Talent & Culture Manager, Justine Dorrell, won the Human Resources Talent of the Year category.
The NSW Accommodation Awards for Excellence are the most prestigious industry awards in the region, honouring the achievement of excellence in a wide range of categories in the accommodation industry, inclusive of community contribution, accommodation, restaurants and bars and our people.
“This is a humbling accolade to receive,” said Ebony. “While I am honoured to accept it, I would like to acknowledge that I wouldn’t be here without the support and hard work of the Elements F&B team. Together we work tirelessly to elevate the Elements of Byron guest experience through exceptional dining touchpoints. In particular, I’d like to recognise our Grounds and Activities Manager, Alistair Oakman, for his innovative work on foraging and the ongoing inspiration he provides to myself and the wider Elements team,” she added.
Justine said she was grateful to be recognised with the Human Resources Talent of the Year award and said: “This accolade validates our belief that employee satisfaction and overall resort performance go hand in hand. We firmly believe that employee fulfilment has a direct impact on the experience of our guests; and I am proud of my team’s commitment to creating an exceptional experience and culture that prioritises the satisfaction of our internal and external stakeholders.”
Ebony and Justine were present at the award ceremony alongside Elements of Byron General Manager, Michael Skinner and Executive Assistant Manager Monique Rutene.
“I am immensely proud that Ebony and Justine have been recognised for their technical expertise, leadership and innovative approach to providing the best F&B experiences for our guests and fostering a rewarding culture for our staff. There is some incredible talent in the hospitality industry so to receive this distinction is an outstanding recognition and most definitely deserved,” Michael said.
“We would like to thank NSW Accommodation Awards for Excellence for these accolades and extend our gratitude to the guests who have visited Elements of Byron and inspired us to strive for unwavering excellence. We look forward to continuing to create unforgettable guest experiences well into the future,” he added.
The awards joins the resort’s already impressive suite of accolades – from both an industry and guest perspective – and further highlight Elements of Byron’s standing as one of Australia’s leading luxury resorts.