The Willoughby Hotel is an active part off the local community and as such we pride ourselves in preserving both the sanctity of the local community and the iconic and historic architecture created some 110 years ago.

Working together with local residence and businesses, The Willoughby Hotel endeavors to assist in the development of our local community and preservation of it’s current landmarks.

The Willougby Hotel actively supports our local community by sponsoring local sporting teams and supporting cultural interest and community groups.

2011 – A year of Community support

NEWS ITEM: 03.01.12

It’s been an involved and generous year for The Willoughby, with a diverse range of donations being made throughout the community. The hotel has a long history of sponsoring local sporting teams and community events, but never to the financial extent or breadth of focus which has been seen this year. At the conclusion of the calendar year, we have seen over $10,000 of donations go out to sporting associations, at both junior and senior levels, various public schools, and cultural groups, including the locally based Austrian Yodeling Society.

September saw our inaugural hosting of the Willoughby Public School fundraiser. This event closed the entire hotel in order to host a James Bond inspired benefit. Between both levels we had a series of auctions, silent and live, as well as substantial donations of food and beverage by the hotel to help f acilitate the goodwill. The success of the night, which featured more than 400 guests, raised well over $50,000 for the school and a generous serving of simple diversion for the groups of parents who had to be coaxed to leave the party.

In addition to an assortment of small fundraising benefits, typically represented by gift vouchers for raffles or donation enticements, The Willoughby has also gifted cash amounts of $2000 to local sporting clubs Roseville Cricket Club and Chatswood Rugby Club. Similarly, the hotel has opened its doors and the use of its facilities to many of these clubs, with the hotel providing function space and catering for an assortment of events and administrative proceedings. Most significantly, Chatswood Rugby, in absence of a clubhouse, have been provided use of the hotel for events ranging from prize givings to their recent AGM. An engagement with these clubs furthers the belief held here at The Willoughby; that the local communi ty is the basis of our pub, and responsible support of beneficial initiatives such as these strengthen our ties with our patrons. As a locals’ pub, we understand the importance of fostering our involvement with the community and its associations, and hope to continue to do so in the coming year.

The Willoughby Hotel Welcomes Back Award Winning Head Chef

NEWS ITEM: 08.12.11

The Willoughby Hotel has welcomed back popular local and award winning chef Khan Faheem. Khan who began at the Willoughby Hotel in 2008 has been instrumental in building the iconic food offering that the Willoughby Hotel is now renowned.

After sharing his expertise for some time over at NLG Hotel Group’s Royal Hotel Ryde, Khan has return to Willoughby with a renewed enthusiasm.

“I am excited to be back where it all began. I have such fond memories of the great team and many wonderful locals here at the Willoughby Hotel who have come to love my daily specials; in particular my curry’s” said Khan.

In 2009, Khan and his team at the Willoughby Hotel won the award for Best Steak Venue in NSW at the 2009 Australian Hotels Association Awards for Excellence. Then in 2010, took out the award for Best Casual Dining Venue in NSW.

“It was a great honour to receive such wonderful recognition for this great pub. I look forward to working with my team here at the Willoughby Hotel to bring many more awards of this calibre back to the people of Willoughby” continued Khan.

The Willoughby Hotel are excited to see the return of their popular Head Chef and friend and look forward to the many specials on offer for Willoughby locals over the Christmas period.

Khan and his team will be offering a complimentary craft beer with a Wagyu Beef Burger purchase during Lunches Friday - Sunday. The team have also commenced their Kids Eat Free Sundays and will of course continue with the hugely popular 2-4-1 Thursdays.

A Win in the Willo Hotel

THE Willoughby Hotel has won a swag of awards at the Australian Hotels Association NSW Awards for Excellence.

The Willo, more than a century old, won the best casual dining venue of the year award.

Licensee John McGurk, who said he was not related to murdered Cremorne businessman Michael McGurk, said he was thrilled to take home a number of accolades.

"We have worked very hard to develop the food culture that the hotel has become locally renowned for and it's great to receive industry recognition," he said.

"Our menu is modern Australian and we specialise in very good steaks - we were runner-up to the Ivy for the best steak in Sydney at the awards night."

Mr McGurk said he was proud of delivering "very good meals".

"We're a very smart bistro, catering for families, regulars and business people alike," he said. "Rugby great Nick Farr-Jones is a regular.

"One of our most popular times is Thursdays, where you can buy one meal and get one free. It pays to get here early."

For the awards, the judging criteria canvassed quality of produce, menu innovation, special promotions and activities, staff service standards and ambience.

And for the second year running, the hotel was a finalist in the best steak venue of the year category.

Employee Hamish Watts won the "master of bars" award.

North Shore Times - 13 Dec 10 @ 12:15pm by Kat Adamski

http://north-shore-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/a-win-in-the-willo-hotel/

The Willoughby Hotel

CITYSEARCH SYDNEY - Jessica Miller, September 2009