Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) is thrilled to announce that nominations are now open for the third BIH Spotlight Awards. Taking place on 21 October 2024 at M Threadneedle Street, London, the awards will continue to amplify and celebrate the exceptional achievements of individuals and businesses from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds working within the hospitality, food, and drink sectors.
For the past two years, these prestigious awards have attracted hundreds of nominations and finalists from across the UK. Past winners include Jimi Famurewa, Akoko, Rahel Stephanie, Manju Patel, and Ahmed Abdalla.
This year is set to be bigger and better, supported by returning sponsors Decanter, Deliveroo, OpenTable and Caterer.com. 300 guests are expected to attend.
The Award Categories for the 2024 BIH Spotlight Awards are as follows:
Individual
Chef of the Year
Pastry Chef of the Year
Rising star
Writer of the Year
Drinks Professional of the Year
Head Office Impact
Cuisine
African Food
Caribbean Food
East and Southeast Asian Food
South Asian Food
Middle Eastern Food
Business
Bar/Pub of the Year
Brand of the Year
In addition, two People’s Choice awards will be decided upon by calculating the most votes received for the person and restaurant, respectively:
The Peoples’ Choice Person of the Year
The Peoples’ Choice Restaurant of the Year
Employers and employees are invited to actively participate in the awards process by submitting nominations across all categories. Self-nominations are also welcomed.
The expert judging panel, which is a long list of esteemed hospitality leaders, will evaluate the submissions and determine the shortlist and ultimate winners.
Judges include Development Chef Nitisha Patel, Co-Founder Monica Berg, Founder Peter Martin, and Chef & Writer Akwasi Brenya Mensah, and People Director Joanne Sullivan
Lorraine Copes, Founder of Be Inclusive Hospitality, says, ‘I am extremely proud and privileged to bring these awards back for a third time. We all recognise the importance of being seen and celebrated; these awards are designed to do just that. I also emphasise the power of career role models within this industry, and our awards improve the visibility of our industry’s best from ethnically diverse backgrounds.’
Akwasi Brenya-Mensah , Awards Judge, Chef & Writer , says: ‘I’m honoured to be part of the judging panel for the BIH Spotlight awards, I think it is really important to have recognition and celebration that is reflective of the breadth, depth and diversity within the UK’s thriving hospitality, food and drinks industry.’
Nomination submissions will close on 22 July 2024, and the finalists will be published on 2 September 24. The winners will be announced at the live ceremony on Monday, 21st October 2024, at M Threadneedle Street.
Nominations can be submitted here.
A selection of pictures from the 2023 awards can be found here.
For further information on the BIH Spotlight Awards or to interview Lorraine Copes, founder of BIH or members of the judging panel, please email: community@bihospitality.co.uk
Stay updated with us on social media @beinclusivehospitality
Notes to editors
Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH)is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Lorraine Copes in 2020 to build a thriving community and accelerate race equity within hospitality, food, and drink. Lorraine is a multi-award-winning advocate and champion of change in the hospitality industry. She has held an illustrious career in the industry for over 20 years and worked for Gordon Ramsay, The Wolseley Hospitality Group, and Shake Shack.
Entries are open via the Be Inclusive Hospitality website and close on 22 July. The shortlist will be published on 2 September 24, and winners will be announced at a live event ceremony on Monday, 21 October 2024, at M Threadneedle Street.
The BIH Spotlight Awards Judging Panel
Mallika Basu – Writer and Food Diversity Consultant
Monica Berg – Co-founder and Bartender
Adele C. Oxberry – Chief Executive
Jay Morjaria – Chef Consultant
Shelina Permalloo – Chef, Author, and Restauranteur
Mike Reid – Culinary Director
Craig Prentice – Founder
Piers Zangana – Director
Terri Mercieca – Owner
Jenny Lau – Founder
Peter Martin – Founder & Executive Director
Lauren Linford – Founder
Nitisha Patel – Development Chef & Recipe Creator
Mandeep Gabhari – Hospitality Consultant
Shane Jones – Wine Educator
Akwasi Brenya-Mensah – Chef & Writer
Tye Biswas – Drinks Consultant
Julie Sheppard – Commissioning Editor
Junior Lewis – Hospitality Consultant Lead
Joanne Sullivan – People Director
Award Categories
Chef of the Year Award
This award is open to chefs from all sectors. It recognises talented chefs making major waves in the industry. The recipient must demonstrate a commitment to honing their skills, testing new ideas and captivating the imaginations of their peers and foodies alike. The award also seeks to recognise those who have made broader contributions to the sector and community organisations.
Pastry Chef of the Year Award
This award is open to chefs from all sectors. It recognises talented chefs making major waves in the industry. The recipient must demonstrate a commitment to honing their skills, testing new ideas and captivating the imaginations of their peers and foodies alike. The award also recognises those who have made broader contributions to the sector and community organisations.
Rising Star Award
This award recognises an emerging star working within any sector or role within the hospitality industry who is making a significant and exciting impact.
Writer of the Year Award
The Writer of the Year award will celebrate journalists and writers within the industry, captivating the interest and imagination of their audience. The award recipient will be creative, authentic and breathe new life into the world of hospitality, food, and drink writing.
Drinks Professional of the Year Award
This award is open to drinks professionals from all sectors. The award recipient will bring excellence, authenticity, and flair into the drinks industry. This award aims to celebrate sommeliers, mixologists, brewers, and other drinks professionals helping shape and build an exciting future in drinks.
Head Office Impact Award
This category will recognise team members within a head office or central group function. The award recipient will be individuals who go the extra mile to support their peers and teams.
African Food Award
This award will recognise exceptional African food businesses. The award recipient will be a caterer, restaurant, or street food operator, pushing the boundaries of creativity whilst running a successful business.
Caribbean Food Award
This award will recognise exceptional Caribbean food businesses. The award recipient will be a caterer, restaurant, or street food operator, pushing the boundaries of creativity whilst running a successful business.
South Asian Food Award
This award will recognise exceptional South Asian food businesses. The award recipient will be a caterer, restaurant, or street food operator, pushing the boundaries of creativity whilst running a successful business.
East & Southeast Asian Food Award
This award will recognise exceptional East and Southeast Asian food businesses. The award recipient will be a caterer, restaurant, or street food operator, pushing the boundaries of creativity whilst running a successful business.
Middle Eastern Food Award
This award will recognise exceptional Middle Eastern food businesses. The award recipient will be a caterer, restaurant, or street food operator, pushing the boundaries of creativity whilst running a successful business.
Pub and Bar of the Year Award
The Pub and Bar of the Year Awards are open to people who run, own or manage a pub or bar. The recipient must be innovative and have a reputation for service excellence and community creation. The winner will also demonstrate a commitment to investing in and developing people.
Brand of the Year
This award will recognise a company for its ability to effectively communicate its values, differentiate itself from competitors and resonate with its target audience. The judges will look for evidence of strong brand presence in support of enhancing reputation and credibility in the industry.
People’s Choice Person of the Year Award
This award will recognise individuals from any sector and profession within the UK hospitality industry. The winner will be the most frequently nominated individual across all categories.
People’s Choice Restaurant of the Year Award
This award will recognise restaurants and food businesses from any sector and profession within the UK hospitality industry. The winner will be the most frequently nominated restaurant or food business across all categories.
Contact: lorraine@bihospitality.co.uk
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