Hotel doorman Carvel Van Putten is a self-confessed talkaholic, so he wasn’t about to let anyone stop him having his say on his big night.The veteran employee at The Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel won the ‘best of the best’ award at this year’s VIP Excellence Awards. Having been named the best bell/doorman at the ‘Oscars’ of the hospitality industry, he went on to earn himself the overall top prize at the Fairmont Southampton Resort on Saturday.Mr Van Putten gave a quick rendition of his signature song ‘Oh what a Bermudaful morning’ before giving a 15 minute acceptance speech. He said: “I love the microphone, I love to talk, I love people. I love talking to guests on the door as I can keep them talking for so long.“Tonight’s my night and no-one can stop me talking. I’m going to talk and talk.”Mr Van Putten won a $20,000 monetary market fund having beat off competition for the ‘best of the best’ award from Shalini Tucker of Dangelini’s Café and Loma Simons from Greenbank Guest House.Tourism Minister Patrice Minors awarded Mr Van Putten his prize and called him “a true professional” who went out of his way to “share a special Bermuda warmth and friendliness.”Mr Van Putten has worked at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess for 45 years and Fairmont’s Bermuda managing director Norman Mastalir and Fairmont Hamilton Princess general manager Jon Crellin were there to see his crowning moment. He is also the hotel’s chief shop steward so is on call 24/7 to deal with issues from union membersMr Van Putten has been in hospitality trade since he started “washing pots and dishes” to bring in some extra money for his family as a 13-year-old. He has also worked at the former Sherwood Manor, Horizons and Elbow Beach.The awards ceremony audience was told hotel guests would continually send him cards and letters as he did “such an outstanding job” of making them feel welcome. Mr Van Putten, who received a standing ovation as he made his way to the stage, said he wanted to “give thanks to everyone.”He said he never passed the buck by saying “it’s not my job” and he always tried to “look good and smell good” as appearance was everything.Mr Van Putten said: “This is the one time in my life that I’ve won something as I’m the type of person who buys every raffle ticket without any luck.“I just take the time to share all our beautiful stories with guests, Bermuda has so much history. I’m proud to get this award, I love my Island.”The 11th annual VIP Excellence Awards was like a who’s who of the hospitality industry as it recognised those from all areas including food and beverage, front-of-house and performing arts. The 54 finalists from the 18 categories walked down the red carpet before having their stories told on a big screen.The winners took to the microphone with acceptance speeches. They each won a gold VIP Excellence Award, a certificate and a travel prize including cruises, flights and hotel stays.Reginald ‘Toby’ Dillas won the lifetime achievement award and said he was “shocked, surprised and really honoured.” He said he had enjoyed everyday of his work in the hospitality industry.Tom Butterfield of Masterworks Museum, who won the activities and attraction award, wore a suit with a polka dot shirt and sneakers. He was told: “you are certainly dressed as an attraction.”Entertainer Ronnie Lopes collected his award for best entertainer and explained he had got out the shower earlier that evening to welcome three guests from Tennessee to his hotel room while wearing just his underwear.Sandra Correira from the Fairmont Southampton Resort picked up her convention, sales and marketing award just a week after giving birth. And Vandoselle Swan from A.S. Cooper Man, who won the retail store employee award, said he loved his job so much he’d do it for nothing, but then changed his mind and told his boss he still wanted to be paid.Premier Paula Cox said all of the 54 finalists deserved “recognition, reward and respect” for sharing the love of Bermuda.She said: “These are the people who have just done their jobs, they aren’t looking for recognition or awards.“They’ve done extraordinary things for their country. Each of them is a game changer and I think we need more of them to help tourism.”Ms Minors said the VIP Excellence Awards had been “a tremendous evening” as “the depth of talent is a testimony to Bermuda”.She said: “We are revising our tourism industry and that is to be commended. Bermuda is indeed unique and we can succeed if we all help. We can do our country proud.”