The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE Poop Deck at Sandyport has been awarded Restaurant of the Year by the Skal Club Bahamas.

The announcement was made at Luciano's of Chicago restaurant yesterday by Skal Club President Michael Symonette.

Freddie Lightbourne, General Manager of the Poop Deck, said despite having won the award before, being presented with the 2014 award was "very exciting and rewarding".

"That we were recognised by this group of people that represent different tourism entities in The Bahamas is very exciting," he said. "To be recognised and honoured by your peers is something that is very rewarding. We're very happy about that and very excited."

"Mr Lightbourne has won this award on a number of occasions, it's very competitive, and he's really made a major accomplishent in trying to win this award," Mr Symonette said. "We're very pleased with this recognition for The Poop Deck west."

According to Skal Club secretary Erlston McPhee, the award is an attempt to "enhance the quality of service in hotels with restaurants attached or independent restaurants".

The club meets every second Thursday of the month at different restaurants, when Skal Club members are presented with a survey which asks them to grade the various restaurants on aspects such atmosphere, service and quality of food. The results are tallied and the restaurant with the highest score at the end of the year is the winner.

The Skal Club is a professional membership club that has been in The Bahamas since the 1960s, with April marking the club's 50th anniversary.

The club consists of professionals who are "senior level" in the travel and tourism industry.