November is Legacy and Learn to month in NI Year of Food and Drink. We thought that we would take a look at our legacy and the passion for food and drink that has moved our business forward. We take a look at Managing Director Eugene’s journey to becoming a Hotelier.
Eugene worked in the kitchen of Corr’s Corner as Kitchen Porter and then learned how to be a chef. He was part-time and then he left school at 15 and started in catering college. Then he started to get professional qualifications but his ambition was to have his own business. He became Head Chef in Corr’s Corner at 21 years old.
If you set your mind to something it can be achieved!
In 1986, Eugene achieved this with a small restaurant, Granagh House in Randalstown, which he built up. He then went into business with his brother and started The Wild Duck in Portglenone. In 1993, he had the opportunity to buy Corr’s Corner and so he sold his share in The Wild Duck and bought Corr’s Corner. Several Acquistions and refurbishments followed and the group is now made up of 4 hotels.
McKeever Hotel Group includes Corr’s Corner Hotel and 3 other hotels: The Adair Arms in Ballymena, Dunsilly Hotel Antrim and Dillons Hotel in Letterkenny.
This passion and excitment for food has continued:
-The chefs at Corrs Corner have over 230 years of experience between them. Head Chef Jason now leads the Kitchen Team.
-Focus on local produce
-Our Beef is sourced from 2 award winning Butchers
-Our Fish is supplied by Keenan’s in Belfast
-Our Vegetables are delivered by Arnott’s and Scott’s
-We stock a range of local Craft Beers and Spirits
-There is a natural spring well underneath the Hotel which provides water for the building!
-We have been awarded the 5 Star Food Hygiene Rating
-Corrs Corner Hotel actually has their own brand of locally roasted coffee which can only be purchased at the McKeever properties- each cup bought supports the NI Hospice.
Last year we were awarded the Silver Award for Investors in People- showing Eugene’s commitment to developing the skills of the teams in the hotels.
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