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