Finalists announced for first ever awards celebrating diverse talent in hospitality
Be Inclusive Hospitality has today announced the finalists for the BIH Spotlight Awards – the first ever awards to celebrate diverse talent within the hospitality industry in the UK.
More than 400 public nominations were received for businesses and individuals of exceptional talent and achievement from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds working within the UK hospitality industry.
The BIH Spotlight Awards judging panel is co-chaired by industry luminaries, TV presenter and celebrity chef Andi Oliver and CEO Chairman of luxury restaurant group, D&D London, Des Gunewardena. Alongside food and diversity consultant Mallika Basu; Masterchef winner and restaurateur, Shelina Permalloo; author and chef, Mike Reid; global rum ambassador, Ian Burrell; wine and sake educator, Shane Jones; CEO and founder of Umbrella Training, Adele C Oxberry; Co-owner of Tayēr + Elementary, Monica Berg; and chef consultant, Jay Morjaria.
Nominations are still open for the Peoples’ Choice Person of the Year and the Peoples’ Choice Restaurant of the Year. Nominations for these two categories will close on 2 October 2022 and the winners announced at the Awards ceremony.
Andi Oliver comments: “I’m so excited about the BIH Spotlight Awards, we’re showcasing a veritable tidal wave of talent from right across our nation. It’s a wonderful testament to the beauty of Britain’s multicultural culinary landscape. The shortlist is in and we’re off.”
Lorraine Copes, founder of Be Inclusive Hospitality says: “We’ve received an outstanding response to the first ever BIH Spotlight Awards. It has been moving to read about some of the stories of resilience, passion, and community in some of the nominations received. The judging panel has selected an amazing talent pool of chefs, restaurants, and entrepreneurs as finalists across the UK. I am beyond excited to celebrate all of the finalists, along with announcing the winners on the 24th October.”
The finalists in 11 categories are as follows:
Chef of the Year
- Babatunde Abifarin – Farin Road – Edinburgh
- Nina Matsunaga – Head Chef – Blackbull Sedbergh – Cumbria
- Adam Bateman – Culinary Director – The Grand Hotel – Birmingham
- Keshia Sakarah – Caribé/Baruru Supperclub – London
African Food
- Maria Bradford, Shwen Shwen – Events caterer – Kent
- Jess and Jo Odun, The Flygerians – Restaurant, delivery – London
- Akwasi Brenya-Mensa, Tatale – Restaurant – The Africa Centre – London
- Lawrence Gomez, Papa L’s Kitchen – Restaurant – London
Caribbean Food
- Lara Luck, Food by Lara Luck (food stylist and recipe developer)- London
- Delroy Dixon, Rhythm Kitchen – London
- Maureen Tyne, Maureen’s Brixton Kitchen – London
- Dane Johnson, Dane’s Catering Services – Birmingham
East and South East Asian Food
- Sandra Leong, Old Chang Kee UK – London
- John Li, The Dumpling Shack Group – London
- Mark Corbyn, Adobros – London
- Ferdinand Montoya, Sarap Bistro – London
South Asian Food
- Rajiv KC, Rajiv’s Kitchen – Pop Up – London
- Priya Deshingkar, Deccan Tiffin – Maharani Supper Club – Hove
- Dom Fernando, Paradise Soho – Restaurant – London
- Mohini Samani, Mumbai Mix – Pop Up – London
Middle Eastern Food
- Ayesha Kalaji, Queen of Cups – Gastro Pub – Glastonbury
- Tariq Al Khaldi, BEYRoots – Street Food Company – London
- Philip Juma, Juma Kitchen – London
- Café Palestina – London
Bar/Pub of the Year
- Lucy Do, The Dodo Micropub – London
- Clement Ogbonnaya, Prince of Peckham – London
- Erika Haigh, Moto – London
- Chandramauli Dwivedi, The Brewers Inn – Cambridge
Drinks Professional of the Year
- Nina Dornoo-Dornor – Cocktail Mania, London
- Imie Augier – Soda and Friends, London
- Rod Eslamieh – Chapter 72, London
- Deano Moncrieffe – Hacha Bar, London
Writer of the Year
- Chetna Makan
- David Jesudason
- Emanuele Mensah
- Melissa Thompson
Head Office Impact
- Patsy Christian – Bourne Leisure – Hertfordshire
- Raj Markandoo – Bubala restaurant – London
- Afees Bello – Wolseley Hospitality Group – London
- Tasneem Sharrem – Fat Macy’s – social enterprise, London
Rising Star
- Anoushica Matthews, founder – Sweet Spice Wines – London
- Reuben Nehikhare, founder – The Parlor – London
- Kyra Elton, bartender and junior distiller – East London Liquor Co & Happiness Forgets – London
- Shiqi Liu – Ustick! – London
The winners of the BIH Spotlight Awards will be announced at a glitzy live awards ceremony in London on Monday, 24 October, 6.30pm at Percy’s, Kensington.
