Top apprentices recognised at Purple Umbrella Awards

More than 14 awards were handed out to the UK’s top apprentices at the Purple Umbrella Awards held at the Savoy hotel in London last week, recognising their commitment to the hospitality industry.

The awards, hosted by Umbrella Training, which is this year celebrating its 10th anniversary, were presented to chefs, staff, supervisors, and managers for their commitment to learning and their achievements over the past 12–18 months.

Home Grown Hotels walked away with a clutch of awards which included Kyle Bishop, a level 2 chef apprentice at the Pig at Combe in Devon; Maria Elizabeth Sousa, deputy head housekeeper at the Pig on the Beach in Studland, Dorset; and her colleague at the hotel Nichola Davis recognised with a Purple Umbrella Award for her hospitality passion.

Other award winners included Hannah Buckmaster, an apprentice at the Royal Household; Cristiana Pirinu, bar supervisor at Brown's Hotel; Edgar Kamykov, bar waiter at The Berkeley in London; and Tom McMillan, food and beverage manager at the Park Plaza London Waterloo.

Umbrella Training founder Adele Oxberry said: “Despite all that is going on in the sector now, we have been blown away by the commitment to continuous learning we have seen over the last twelve months.

“We have some incredibly talented people working in our sector and, together with some inspirational employers, we know the future of the sector is in good hands.”

Kate Nicholls, chief executive, UKHospitality, said: "Huge congratulations to all of the winners and finalists of the Purple Umbrella Awards. Every single individual is a credit to their establishment and the UK hospitality industry.

"Apprenticeships are vitally important for hospitality. Not only do they offer a viable and meaningful route into the industry, but they also offer crucial learning opportunities for those already pursuing a career in the sector."

Apprentices were nominated for the awards by their employers and winners selected by a panel of hospitality experts.

Winners at the Purple Umbrella Awards

• Best Level 2 apprentice: Josiah Henry, the Ritz London hotel
• Best Level 2 chef apprentice: Kyle Bishop, the Pig at Combe (Home Grown Hotels)
• Best Level 3 apprentice: Maria Elizabeth Sousa, the Pig on the Beach (Home Grown Hotels)
• Best Level 3 chef apprentice: Megan Bryson, Thyme Hotel
• Best Level 5 apprentice: Emma Duke, CH&CO – Gather & Gather
• Best Level 5 apprentice – Business & Development: Anna Chrzastek, Farncombe Estate – Dormy House & Foxhill Manor
• Alumni: Jules McEachern, CH&CO
• Best non-Umbrella apprentice: Marcus Hitchings, the Goring
• Special Award: Lorraine Copes, Be Inclusive Hospitality
• Promoting Hospitality Careers: Hannah Buckmaster, Royal Household
• Hospitality Passion: Nichola Davis, the Pig on the Beach (Home Grown Hotels)
• Hospitality Resilience: Selina Coombes, Luxury Family Hotels – Ickworth hotel
• Leader in D&I in Hospitality: Tom McMillan, PPHE Hotel Group
• Continuous Learning in Hospitality: Cristiana Pirinu, Brown's hotel
• Hospitality Dedication: Edgar Kamykov, the Berkeley