2020 Acorn Award winners revealed

The winners of the 34th Acorn Awards, which recognise 30 of the industry's most talented stars aged under 30, have been named.

The 2020 awards will be presented by The Caterer's products and suppliers editor Lisa Jenkins and the Acorn’s two sponsors: CH&Co executive director Terry Waldron and Graham Cox, UK business development director for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

The annual awards highlight and celebrate the achievements of 30 of the industry's brightest stars, with each winner nominated by their peers for outstanding ability and successes in their field.

Acorn Award sponsor Waldron said: “Congratulations to the 2020 Acorn Awards winners. It is so uplifting to hear about the incredible achievements of the ‘class of 2020’, and recognising industry talent in a year filled with challenges is crucial. Now, more than ever, it is important to continue to inspire and nurture emerging talent.

“The innovation, dedication and positive spirit that the 30 rising stars have shown so far in their careers will certainly be key ingredients in helping to ensure the future of the industry is in good hands. These are our leaders of tomorrow and we very much look forward to celebrating their successes with them later in the year and following their continued contribution to the hospitality industry into the future.”

Cox added: “At this time of unprecedented challenge to the hospitality industry and all who work in it, it is more important than ever for WSET to support the Acorns winners of 2020 as education sponsor. With all businesses under pressure to cut costs, this investment was ring-fenced from an early stage and my team is looking forward to participating fully in the finals weekend.”

The 2020 Acorn winners:

• Jessica Burrow, conference and events sales manager, the Montague on the Gardens hotel, London (Red Carnation Hotels)
• Ryan Doyle, director of sales, Park Regis, Birmingham
• Owen Farr, restaurant manager, the Queensberry hotel and Olive Tree restaurant, Bath
• Nicola Gartenberg, operations director, Adam Handling Restaurant Group
• Jakob Gowin, general manager, Leonardo Hotel London Heathrow Airport
• George Hunt, senior event manager, the Ned, London
• Manuel Infante, meeting, events, sales and planning manager, Park Plaza London Riverbank PPHE Hotel Group
• Chinwe Inyamah, people and development manager, the Ned, London
• Leo Kattou, head chef, Simpsons, Birmingham
• Jordan Kerridge, head chef, the Stafford London
• Josh Key, development and sustainability manager, Blue Apple Catering
• Sian Lewis, general manager, the Duke of Wellington, Surrey (Peach Pubs)
• Abbie Livesey, contract manager, Rapport at Broadgate, London
• Andrew Mackay, head pastry chef, Gleneagles, Auchterarder, Scotland
• Edward Marsh, sous chef, the Manor House hotel, Castle Combe, Exclusive Collection
• Dan McGeorge, head chef, Rothay Manor, Ambleside, Cumbria
• Tom McMillan, food and beverage manager, Park Plaza London Waterloo, PPHE Hotel Group
• Emma Monzon, spa manager, Hanbury Manor, Marriott Hotel & Country Club, Ware, Hertfordshire
• Richard Newell, assistant director of food and beverage, the Dorchester, London
• Oliver Palmer, global luxury account director – Leisure, Marriott International, London
• Charlotte Partridge, senior procurement analyst, CH&Co
• Hebe Richardson, wellness manager, Bartlett Mitchell
• Louise Roberts, sous chef, Lexington Catering
• Charlotte Rouse, head of mobilisations and supply chain for London, BaxterStorey
• Joe Rozier, head chef, the Mariners at Rock, Cornwall
• Jemma Wade, executive assistant and projects manager, London Marriott Hotel County Hall, London
• Charlotte Ward, regional HR manager, Leaf Hospitality
• Chary Wilson, sales and marketing manager, CH&Co
• Emma Wood, head of people, Casna Group
• Daniel Wratten-Sanchez, senior general manager, White Brasserie Company (Brasserie Bar Co)

The 2020 Acorn Award recipients will collect their awards at a prize-giving event at South Lodge hotel in Horsham at a date to be confirmed later this year.