Caterer and Hotelkeeper Top 100 list is revealed
This week we unveil our fourth edition of the Caterer and Hotelkeeper 100, the people we believe are the most powerful in the UK hospitality industry. The list, which was published in association with our sponsor Britvic Soft Drinks, comprises the 100 most important operators in our business, whose actions we believe are having the most impact in 2011.
A panel of experts have combined their experience to analyse, judge and assemble industry personalities into our top 100 power players - hospitality operators based mainly in the UK with their power and influence primarily in the UK market.
Ranking candidates on criteria ranging from direct power, success, innovation, future potential, and their wider influence across the industry, the judges examined whether the candidates had a proven record of financial success and whether this was reflected in the eyes of their peers and the outside world. They considered to what degree candidates were setting standards others wanted to copy and whether their ideas would remain in fashion.
For the second consecutive year we see star-of-the-small-screen Jamie Oliver take top spot, followed by hotelier Grant Hearn, fellow chef Heston Blumenthal, hotelier and restaurateur Patrick Dempsey and restaurateur, private members' club and hotel operator Richard Caring.
Have a look at our overview on page 24, or for a full list of profiles go to www.caterersearch.com/100. You are unlikely to agree with all our rankings. If you don't think we've got it right, we look forward to debating it with you on TableTalk, our community site - www.caterersearch.com/tabletalk.
Amanda afiya, Web editor, Caterer and Hotelkeeperamanda.afiya@rbi.co.uk