Big Hearted Restauranteur Recognised
7th March 2019
Eden PR was delighted to have sponsored the annual Nottingham Restaurant & Bar Awards – a celebration of the food and drink industry that the city and the county has to offer. The 2019 winners and nominees in 15 categories were announced at a spectacular Awards Ceremony held at Colwick Hall Hotel attended by 300 people from across the restaurant and bar industry.
Eden sponsored and presented the Special Recognition Award, a category created to recognise
venues who support their local communities.
Kathryn Greenwood, Joint Managing Director of award sponsors Eden PR commented “We had a huge amount of submissions that nominated venues who actively support their local communities through sponsorship, raising awareness or hosting events to venues who raise funds for local, regional and national charities. All truly worthy. These entries were whittled down to a final six with three in particular stood out Annie’s Burger Shack, and Perkins and a special recognition to The Plough at Normanton, all have – and continue to – play a huge part in their chosen communities and charities.”
The winner of the award was Restaurateur John Molnar – from the Cod’s Scallops in Carri
ngton, Bramcote and Long Eaton and the Nelson in Burton Joyce. His achievements include raising an amazing £60,000 for Maggie’s – over the last three years – based at the City Hospital Maggie’s offers professional support to people with cancer and their loved ones.
Kathryn who presented the accolade added: “John is a worthy winner, we had a huge number of entries for this category and there are some amazing venues across Notts who do great work in the local community. John stood out because he gets so involved personally and is a real inspiration.”
John personally undertakes challenges to raise money – he has run the Great North Run twice for Maggie’s as well as the Robin Hood Marathon. John is also in the top 5 per cent of personal fundraisers on Just Giving for his annual Robin Hood Half Marathon efforts for Maggie’s.
In addition, his venues hosting events, such as the Cods Scallops host festive events for both less fortunate families as well as with Age UK – providing a free chippy lunch.
Kathryn Greenwood, Joint Managing Director of award sponsors Eden PR who presented the accolade added: “John is a worthy winner, we had a huge number of entries for this category and there are some amazing venues across Notts who do great work in the local community. John stood out because he gets so involved personally and is a real inspiration.”
Through Tasty Tuesdays he has donated food to a homeless shelter in the city. The
Cods Scallops is also in the process of launching Food Waste UK where any food left overnight is advertised on an app and collected by less fortunate people. The Cods Scallops also raises money for the other charities such as Fishermen’s Mission – the only fishermen’s charity that provides emergency support alongside practical, financial, spiritual and emotional care.
John comments: “It’s really important that we do our bit. We regularly support local causes, through charitable donations, and hold charity quizzes every month each for a different local cause. Since we took over the Nelson last June, we have raised £2500, and our ambition is to raise at least £10,000.
“I’ve always tried to help people less fortunate, from employing ex young offenders and drug addicts to donating hot meals for the homeless. After working with Maggie’s Cancer with collection boxes, I came up with the idea of adding £1 to everyone’s bill. “
A hugely popular winner, when John was announced he received a standing ovation from those attending the awards event.
His latest project is Top Floor Development launched in November 2018 and is a unique dining concept where customers can dine on the perimeter of a professional kitchen. It’s a warehouse-style private dining room that seats up to 24 and tickets are sold on an individual basis or the whole venue can be hired exclusively for bespoke events. As well as ticketed three-course and five-course events, he regularly holds one-off pop-up nights, such as a recent Meat & Malbec and Tour of Italyevents.