Restaurant News is Sponsored by CCS McLays
Nineteen semi-finalists have made the shortlist for this year’s Restaurant Manager of the Year competition, sponsored by The Hari London and The Hotel Café Royal.
The competition now in its 15th year, will culminate with the semi-final taking place on Friday 28 February 2025 at The Hotel Cafe Royal. When all the semi-finalists will be put through their paces in front of a panel of leading industry professionals, with the winner announced the same day at the evening’s prestigious winner’s reception.
Competing this year, the RMOY semi-finalists 2025 are:
Andrea Aiace – The Soho Hotel
Enzo Buonocore – The Ritz London
Amedeo Caterino MIH – Lanelay Hall Hotel and Spa
Wesley Davies AIH – Pasture
Fabrizia De Almeida Welman – Heckfield Place
Salvatore De Rosa AIH – Kerridges Bar and Grill at Corinthia London
Michael Fiducia AIH – Stirling’s, Hurricane Bar & Lounge, The Royal Automobile Club
Amarpreet Kaur Mann – Compass Group UK & Ire, Derby High School
Andrei-Sebastian Lixandru AIH – Dormy House Hotel
Andrea Marino – Sun Street Hotel
Imre Meszaros – Royal Automobile Club
Aman Narang – Milaanj at the Beehive
Joshua Oliver Ndirmbita – Estelle Manor
Antonio Palombo AIH – Marriott Hotels – Marriott Worsley Park
Alana Quigley – Gleneagles Hotel
Bharathkumar Ravichandran AIH – Estelle Manor
Maung Wai Lwin – La Petite Maison London
Cameron Walker AIH – Tollemache Arms
Pete Wayre MIH – The Kensington Hotel
Announcing the semi-finalists IoH CEO Robert Richardson FIH MI said: “Congratulations to all our semi-finalists. They will all receive a special follow-up mentoring session from one of the RMOY judges and a year’s membership of the Institute in recognition of their amazing achievement so far. And with such exciting young and established talent making this year’s shortlist, it will be another exciting contest on the 28 February.”
All the applicants had to show they fulfilled the role of Restaurant Manager, regardless of their job title. Showing they took responsibility for business performance and coordinated the operation of a restaurant.
The process of selecting this year’s Restaurant Manager of the Year 2025 will include the semi-finalists being interviewed by industry professionals and tested on their Restaurant Management skills. With the top four candidates participating in a Restaurant Management Skills scenario in front of an invited audience.
The day will conclude with the live final, in front of industry guests, media, friends and family.
Aiming to acknowledge and reward the best in the industry, whether small individual boutique establishments, popular fine-dining sites or those part of a larger food and beverage operation, the competition has uncovered some formidable industry names in the past including Peter Avis FIH of London Hilton on Park Lane, who was the first person to scoop the title in 2009.
Along with the trophy and prestigious title of Restaurant Manager of the Year 2025, the winner will also receive:
- A professional development programme designed around the winner, to assist them in their current role and develop their career
- A year of tickets to attend the top 2025 IoH events, including Above & Beyond and the Fellows’ Dinner
- One year’s membership of the Institute of Hospitality
Plus, more to be announced on the day
Last year’s winner Jessica Thompson MIH explained: “If you are passionate about hospitality and in particular food and beverage, the Restaurant Manager competition is a great opportunity for industry recognition.
“On the day there was heaps of support and encouragement throughout the whole process from the organisers, competitors and judge’s which makes you feel at ease and made the overall experience very enjoyable. It is a busy and challenging day, which requires you to focus and think on your feet but ultimately, it’s about being yourself and showing others how you shine in your own hospitality environment.
“It is a great opportunity to connect and network with other hospitality professionals, make new friendships and connections that will provide new opportunities and possibilities for you to continue to thrive and grow within the hospitality industry which continues with you after the competition.”
Tickets to the Institute’s Restaurant Manager of the Year 2025 Winner’s Reception are available now – book here.
Restaurant News is Sponsored by CCS McLays