Christie Hayes crowned 2023 Institute of Hospitality Restaurant Manager of the Year

Christie Hayes of Beach House in Oxwich in Swansea has been named the Institute of Hospitality's (IoH) Restaurant Manager of the Year 2023 (RMOY).

She beat 15 other semi-finalists to scoop the award, which was sponsored by the Hari and held at the Hotel Café Royal in London.

She is the 13th recipient of the title and will receive 12 months' membership to the IoH, invitations to all IoH events, and coaching sessions from the Dorchester Collection Academy.

Hayes said: "I'm shocked and so emotional to have won this fantastic award. I'm so very grateful to my team and for this opportunity. The other competitors have been amazing.

"I've really enjoyed completing all the tasks and I've met some wonderful people, throughout the day. It's been so much fun. I'm incredibly proud and so happy that my sister was here to share this experience with me."

Liam Simpson from the Strathearn in the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland was named runner-up.

He said: "I am very proud to be runner up in the RMOY 2023 competition. It was an incredible day of networking and great fun. I'd like to congratulate the winner Christie on a hard-earned victory and the rest of my competitors on getting this far. If this year's competition is anything to go by, hospitality in Britain is in very good hands. Hopefully, I'll return next year!"

Everyone who qualified for the semi-finals will receive a year's IoH membership, free tickets to IoH events and mentoring from one of the judges.

Sarah Peters, head of events at IoH, added: "I would like to say a massive thank you to all the incredible semi-finalists, our incredible judges who gave their valuable time to help us access such amazing talent and to our panellists who joined us at the winner's reception."