Leitrim woman named Employee of the Year in Irish Hotels Federation Donegal Branch

Chantalle Wymbs, a Kinlough native and Chef de Partie at Harvey’s Point, has been announced as the 2026 Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch ‘Employee of the Year’.

The announcement was made at an awards lunch at Lough Eske Hotel, where guests gathered to celebrate and recognise five nominees from hotels and guesthouses across Donegal who have made an outstanding contribution to their workplace.

Congratulating Chantalle on the award, IHF Donegal Chair, Aisling Arnold, said that, when selecting her as the winner, judges highlighted Chantalle’s warmth, creative approach and passion for elevating the customer’s experience.

At the event, IHF President, Michael Magner, congratulated all nominees and said: “Our nominees represent the very best of our profession that thrives on dedication, innovation and the development of its people. There has never been a better time to start a career in tourism and hospitality in a sector that supports 270,000 livelihoods across Ireland in vibrant, unique roles, including 8,000 in Donegal.”

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Chantalle has worked at Harvey’s Point for four years and is currently a Chef de Partie at the hotel. Chantalle has been cheffing from a young age and serves as the hotel’s allergen champion, ensuring every dietary requirement is carefully considered by the wider culinary team.

Her colleagues say that “Chantalle’s creativity, dedication and leadership inspire her team and consistently elevate the guest experience.”

Other award presentations on the day included a ‘Highly Commended Award’ presented to Jiraporn Jacob Ellie, Food & Beverage Assistant at the Station House Hotel.

The IHF Donegal Branch extends its gratitude to the expert judging panel of Joan Crawford (Fáilte Ireland) and Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin (Atlantic Technological University), who had the difficult job of selecting a winner from the nominees.

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The members of the IHF Donegal Branch now wish Chantalle the very best of luck as she goes on to represent them at the upcoming National IHF Employee of the Year Awards, which will be held during the IHF’s Annual Conference which will take place at Gleneagle, Killarney in late February.