2023 Acorn Award winners revealed

The winners of the 37th Acorn Awards have been revealed, celebrating 30 of the industry's most talented stars aged under 30.

 

The Acorn Award recipients gathered on Sunday at the start of their Acorn winners' weekend at Harbour Hotel Southampton, the only luxury five-star hotel and Spa in the coastal city.

 

The winners enjoyed the expert hospitality of Harbour Hotels and attended a prize-giving lunch today (Monday 5 June) to collect their trophies in the company of the Acorn Award's sponsor, CH&Co, their nominators and the Acorn judges. The awards were presented by The Caterer editor James Stagg and CH&Co chief operating officer Allister Richards.

 

Former Acorn Award winner Mark Bevan, managing director at Gemini Hospitality Group, will also address the winners.

 

The annual awards seek to highlight and celebrate the achievements of 30 outstanding individuals, with each winner nominated by their peers for their exceptional ability in their field.

 

Richards said: “The announcement of the Acorn Awards winners is always a welcome tonic. It gives us the opportunity to pause and revel in the incredible young talent our industry fosters, and the amazing opportunities hospitality can offer those with the ambition and drive to succeed and make a positive difference.

 

“These are qualities this year’s winners have in abundance and I never fail to be in awe of what they’ve accomplished so early on in their careers."

 

He added: “With genuine knowledge, creativity, energy and vision they are already credible leaders and future game changers. Huge congratulations to the Acorn Awards class of 2023 from us all at CH&CO. As headline sponsor, it’s a privilege to share in their success and we will watch their continued progression with keen interest.”

 

Each winner of the annual event was nominated by their senior team and peers for outstanding achievements and successes in their field.

 

The 2023 Acorn Award winners

 

Adam Willcocks, operations manager, Calcot and Spa

 

Benjamin Jeffery, sales and marketing manager, CH&Co

 

Carol O’Connell, front of house manager, the Ned

 

Charlie Banks, operations manager, Red Carnation Hotels

 

Charlie Search, account manager, Fuel Experiences, Baxter Storey

 

Craig O'Neil, cluster finance business partner, IHG Hotels and Resorts

 

Elisia Guglielmucci, director of sales, the Waldorf Hilton London

 

Eljesa Saciri, general manager, Zetter Townhouse Marylebone

 

Felicity Hayes, deli manager, Rick Stein

 

Felix Craft, head chef and owner, Stage

 

George Boarer, head chef, etch. by Steven Edwards

 

George Devonshire, group head of marketing, Harbour Hotels Group

 

George Hiley-Jones, deputy head of rooms division, the Lanesborough hotel, Oetker Collection

 

Guillaume Larher, food and beverage projects manager, Mandarin Oriental Mayfair

 

Hannah Cochrane, business development manager, Dakota Hotels

 

Hayleigh Mullen, restaurant manager, Kimpton Blythswood Square hotel

 

James Toth, head chef, Cornerstone by Tom Brown

 

Jennifer Burton, bar manager, the Belfry hotel and resort

 

Jessica Thompson, general manager and co-owner, Mingary Castle restaurant with rooms

 

Joel Breakwell, executive chef, Casa and Paco Tapas

 

Katariina Reissaar, front office manager, Leonardo Hotels UK

 

Kelly-Marie Staunton, director of spa and leisure, Macdonald Hotels and Resorts

 

Lily Gaspar, front of house manager, the Royal Cresent hotel and spa

 

Lizzie Hennig, nutritionist, BaxterStorey

 

Lucy Ager, operations manager, BaxterStorey

 

Marie-Charlotte Gauter, director of rooms, Hotel Café Royal

 

Oliver Harris, operations manager, Whatley Manor hotel

 

Samantha Calandrelli, learning and development manager, Dishoom

 

Thomas Bartlett, director of food and beverage, Hilton Birmingham Metropole

 

Yann Bouvignies, head of mixology, Rosewood London