By Denis Sheehan, Publisher, H&C News: Institute of Hospitality announce UK Restaurant Manager of the Year 2022.
Abigail Clark from Charlie’s at Brown’s Hotel was crowned Institute of Hospitality UK Restaurant Manager of the Year 2022, held on Tueday at Hotel Café Royal.
Restaurant Manager of the Year is now in its twelfth year, recognising the very best in the industry and is open to restaurant managers of all types of operation. This year was ‘exceptional’ according to the panel of judges who had a difficult task in choosing the winner.
Finalists took part in an intense day of testing and battled all day to win the prestigious 2022 title.
Performing at their best were:
- Alexandros Kaloudas MIH of Hilton London Bankside.
- Gianluca Austin-Rizzo of Simpsons Restaurant, Birmingham.
- Raminta Mackeviciute of The Ivy Cobham Brasserie, Surrey.
- Jacob Pinder of Hotel Café Royal, London.
- James Brackley MIH of South Lodge Hotel.
- Abigail Clark of Charlie’s at Browns Hotel.
- Antonino Forte MIH of Galvin at Windows, Hilton Park Lane.
- Andrea Caldelari of Pan Pacific.
- Marco Mammone of Cameron House.
- George Young of Dakota Hotels.
The hard-fought day culminated in the finalist’s carrying out a final test in front of a specially invited VIP audience before Sarah Peters MIH IoH Head of Commercial & Events took to the stage for a lively and incredibly entertaining panel discussion.
Cyrus Todiwala MBE FIH, Pervin Todiwala FIH and the first-ever RMOY winner, Peter Avis FIH were in the hot seats to recall some hilarious past experiences and their insights.
To thunderous applause, Abigail was crowned IoH UK Restaurant Manager of the Year 2022 at the glittering Winner’s Reception. And as a double celebration, she announced it was her birthday too! What an amazing end to a perfect day. James Brackley MIH of South Lodge Hotel was named runner up.
Speaking at the event, Robert Richardson FIH CEO of the IoH said: “If proof were ever needed how highly skilled our industry is, how dedicated, passionate and talented our extended hospitality family is, then our 2022 Restaurant Manager of the Year competition captured that perfectly. We crowed an incredible winner and runner up live on stage tonight. Everyone who made it through to the finals is a winner, and our industry is much better for the shining examples they give. For Abigail to win on her birthday and on the eve of International Women’s Day could not have been more perfect.”
IoH I’m In Podcast host Phil Street FIH, tweeted on the night: “#RMOY2022 What an incredible event! This industry is bursting with talent! We need to shout about that from the rooftops. Congrats @IoH_Online for organising an industry-leading event #imin #legends.“
Entries for Restaurant Manager of the Year 2023 will open later this year.
The Institute of Hospitality Golf Day, in association with Caterer.com launched today