Cateys 2021: Angela Hartnett, Andrew Wong and Alastair Storey win top gongs

Industry-leading operators including Angela Hartnett, Andrew Wong and Alastair Storey were handed some of the top gongs at The Caterer’s 2021 Cateys this evening.

The winners were announced at a stunning ceremony – a return to normality for the industry following last year’s virtual event – which took place at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London and saw the sector’s top operators get together to celebrate in-person once more.

Many of the deserving winners were recognised for demonstrating compassion for their employees and their communities in one of the most difficult times hospitality has ever experienced and have come out the other side stronger for it.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to chairman and chief executive of Westbury Street Holdings Alastair Storey, in recognition of a career driven by passion, enthusiasm and commitment combined with audacious acquisitions that have helped him to create one of the most impressive businesses of our time.

Murano chef Angela Hartnett was presented with the Special Award for her accomplishments as a chef, restaurateur, author, television personality and philanthropist. Sketch founders Pierre Gagnaire and Mourad Mazouz walked off with the International Outstanding Achievement Award for creating a unique venue that has won a worldwide following in their Mayfair restaurant.

And the Chef Award went to Andrew Wong, whose restaurant A Wong in London was the first Chinese restaurant in the world outside Asia to win two Michelin stars last year.

Chefs and restaurateurs who also won big included Gary Usher, winner of Restaurateur of the Year – Independent, while Philip Eeles, Tom Barton and Dorian Waite of Honest Burgers were awarded the group gong.

Hotel of the Year – Group went to the Berkeley in London, while the Independent award was won by the Fife Arms in Braemar, Aberdeenshire. Hotelier Joanne Taylor-Stagg, general manager of the Athenaeum in London, won Manager of the Year, while Whatley Manor in Wiltshire and Hotel Brooklyn in Manchester were recognised for their sustainability and accessibility credentials, respectively.

Meanwhile, Allister Richards of CH&Co walked away with the Foodservice Caterer Award and this year’s Pub and Bar Award went to the Yummy Pub Co’s Joe Calvey, Tim Foster and Anthony Pender.

Editor of The Caterer James Stagg said: "It was incredibly special to welcome the industry’s finest operators back to Grosvenor House once again. The Cateys is always a memorable evening but this year’s was even more so given the incredible challenges operators have faced.

"As well as being a celebration of the industry’s resilience and determination, we were able to reward some of the individuals and business who have really shone in the past year. Hearty congratulations to all of our shortlists and winners. In a year like to other they have proved what innovation and agility there is in the hospitality sector."

Cateys 2021 winners

• Best Marketing Campaign Award, sponsored by Bidfood: The Rick Stein Group
• Manager of the Year Award, sponsored by Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC): Joanne Taylor-Stagg, the Athenaeum Hotel & Residences, London
• Best Use of Technology Award, sponsored by Ten Kites: 67 Pall Mall, London
• Accessibility Award, sponsored by Nescafé (Nestlé Professional): Hotel Brooklyn, Manchester
• Newcomer Award, sponsored by lunch! Commercial Kitchen and Casual Dining: Barge East, London
• Menu of the Year Award, sponsored by Belazu Ingredient Co: Orasay, London
• Sustainable Business Award, sponsored by 4C Associates: Whatley Manor, Wiltshire
• Pub and Bar Award, sponsored by Britvic: Joe Calvey, Tim Foster and Anthony Pender, the Yummy Pub Co
• Restaurateur of the Year – Independent, sponsored by Flipdish: Gary Usher, Elite Bistros
• Restaurateur of the Year – Group, sponsored by Entegra Europe: Philip Eeles, Tom Barton and Dorian Waite, Honest Burgers
• Best Employer Award, sponsored by Nescafé (Nestlé Professional): PPHE Hotel Group
• Wine and Spirit Ambassador Award, sponsored by Matthew Clark: Eric Zwiebel, Summer Lodge Country House, Dorset
• Health and Nutrition Award, sponsored by Johnsons Hotel, Restaurant & Catering Linen: Eurest
• Public Sector Caterer Award, sponsored by Bidfood: Alison Shedlock, the University of Manchester
• Education and Training Award, sponsored by Indeed Flex: Murray Chapman, A Passion to Inspire
• Hotel of the Year – Group, sponsored by phs Direct: The Berkeley, London
• Hotel of the Year – Independent, sponsored by Travelzoo: The Fife Arms, Aberdeenshire
• Foodservice Caterer Award, sponsored by DigiTally: Allister Richards, CH&Co
• Chef Award, sponsored by Brakes: Andrew Wong
• International Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored by Unilever Food Solutions, Wall's and #FairKitchens: Pierre Gagnaire and Mourad Mazouz
• Special Award, sponsored by CH&CO: Angela Hartnett
• Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by #FairKitchens: Alastair Storey