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