A LAUNCESTON lady's excellent customer service skills have won her a week's cruise in the Mediterranean.

Debbie Baker, who works in the canteen at DS Smith Speciality Packag­ing, Launceston won the 'Customer Service Award' at the sixth annual Elior Awards for Excellence.

The canteen at  DS Smith is leased out to Elior UK, which holds annual award ceremonies to highlight the achievements of their staff throughout the country.

Just before Christmas Debbie was informed that she had been nominated and had made it through to the semi-finals of the Elior Awards.

She explained: "It was down to eight of us in the semi-final and four of the top bosses came down and interviewed me. After that I didn't hear anything for quite a while so assumed I had only got to the semi-final. But just after Christmas I had a letter to say I'd made it down to the last three."

Debbie, along with the 33 other finalists, was invited to the 'Strictly Ballroom' themed awards ceremony which was held at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales — home of the 2010 Ryder Cup.

In the afternoon, before the awards event, the finalists took part in a dancing master class hosted by Anton du Beke and Erin Boag, two of the professional dancers from Strictly Come Dancing.

After being shown how to do the waltz and the 'cha-cha' Debbie was picked to dance with Anton. She said: "It was extremely nerve racking. I had seen him on TV but didn't really know who he was. But luckily I didn't embarrass myself and managed to do the steps."

Following the dance class, the finalists took part in a golf academy.

It was then time for the awards hopefuls to change into their finery for the awards evening, which was hosted by Strictly Come Dancing star Austin Healey and Elior UK's Chief Executive Officer, Michael Audis.

Anton and Erin treated the 200 plus guests to special performances of the quickstep, tango and foxtrot.

The winners of the 10 awards categories — Culinary Excellence, Financial  Excellence, Rising Star, Culinary Award, Customer Service, Professionalism, Star Site, Responsibility and Inno­vation and Employee of the Year — were then announced.

Debbie was shocked and delighted when her name was read out as winner of the Customer Service Award: "My legs turned to jelly! Our table was situated right at the back of the room and I had to walk past everybody to get up to the stage."

The surprises didn't end there. Debbie was then informed that her prize was a week's cruise in the Mediterranean!

She commented: "It's really overwhelming. I don't think it's sunk in yet." The winners will set sail next month.

Debbie was the first employee in the South West to win an Elior award in seven years and was the only person in the South West to have made it through to the 2009 final.

Cathy Hume, Human Resources Manager at DS Smith Speciality Packag­ing said: "We are all very proud of Debbie's achievement. She thoroughly deserves this award as she is excellent at customer service and works very hard to ensure that her customers are happy.

"Debbie has also been invited to become an 'ambassador' for her company as a result of winning this award. Debbie's award reflects the standard and quality of service that our company has always received from Elior and its employees."

Debbie, who has worked at DS Smith for two years, said she was "really pleased" to have won. She added: "I didn't even know I had been nominated until I received the letter. It was a total surprise. Every­body's been so supportive.

"My brother works here too and my family are really pleased and proud."

Debbie wished to thank DS Smith and Avenance Catering Company for their support.

Elior UK's Chief Executive Officer Michael Audis said: "I would like to personally thank all the employees at Elior UK for playing a truly instrumental part in the success of the business. 

"The Elior Awards for Excellence are now in their sixth year and have proven an excellent platform to acknowledge key individuals for their exceptional commitment to the company."