Be Inclusive Hospitality Spotlight Awards winners announced
Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) has announced 15 winners from the BIH Spotlight Awards at a sold-out ceremony held at M Threadneedle Street in London last night (16 October).
The awards, which were established to celebrate "exceptional businesses and individuals" from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds in the industry, were presented by chef and restaurateur Shelina Permalloo.
Winners for each category ranged from best in Caribbean food to Writer of the Year. Two People's Choice Awards – Person of the Year and Restaurant of the Year – were chosen by the public.
This year's judging panel included culinary director of Rare Restaurants Mike Reid and chief executive of Umbrella Training Adele Oxberry.
Lorraine Copes, founder of Be Inclusive Hospitality, said: "Last night marked an extraordinary celebration of outstanding talent in the hospitality industry. The ambience was unparalleled, and I express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who contributed to this event. Whether it was our esteemed judging panel, our sponsors, and the hospitality community who nominated their favourites.
"It was a privilege to be surrounded by so many passionate and dedicated individuals, and I offer my hearty congratulations to all our deserving winners."
Winners for all 15 categories were:
Chef of the Year – sponsored by caterer.com
Ahmed Abdalla, head chef, Legacy at the Grand, York
Pastry Chef of the Year
Ryan Panchoo, owner of Borough 22 Doughnuts, London
Drinks Professional of the Year – sponsored by Moet Hennessy UK
Jeri Kimber-Ndiaye, head sommelier at the NoMad Hotel, London
Caribbean Food
Liam Barker, chef and educator, London
African Food – sponsored by Pedros
The Flygerians, London
South Asian Food
Manju Patel, head chef at Manju's, Brighton
East & Southeast Asian Food – sponsored by ESEA Eats
Amy Poon, founder of Poon's London & Poon's Wontoneria
Middle Eastern Food – sponsored by Persian Hospitality Network
Modern Persian Kitchen, Durham
**Writer of the Year – sponsored by Decanter
Jimi Famurewa
Head Office Impact – sponsored by DesignMyNight
Olajide Alabi, equality, inclusion and wellbeing partner at Turtle Bay Hospitality
Bar or Pub of the Year – sponsored by Campari UK/WSET School London
The Village People - London
Brand of the Year – sponsored by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Crazy Gin Ltd
Rising Star – sponsored by Umbrella Training
Rahel Stephanie, chef and food writer
Peoples' Choice Person of the Year – sponsored by Deliveroo
Sting Khumalo, director of human resources at the Biltmore Mayfair
Peoples' Choice Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by OpenTable
Akoko
