Now in their fourth year, the awards – headline sponsored by OpenTable – will take place on 13 October at Quaglino’s in London, where winners across 15 categories will be announced.
More than 300 nominations were submitted for this year’s awards, demonstrating what BIH says is growing recognition of the breadth of diverse talent within the industry. Finalists were selected by a judging panel of 24 hospitality leaders including BBQ chef and writer Melissa Thompson, Umbrella Training chief executive Adele C. Oxberry, and writer and academic Anna Sulan Massing.
“I may well say this every year, but since I am not part of the judging process, it truly is the case,” said BIH founder Lorraine Copes. “I reviewed the finalists with genuine intrigue and excitement. The finalist list spans the UK, with representation from Northern Ireland, Wales, and across England from Sunderland to Sussex. The quality of entries for individuals and businesses is at an all-time high. I am delighted that these awards are recognised so widely, as this has always been my intention.”
Sasha Shaker, UK and Ireland senior director at OpenTable, added: “This year’s finalists are a true reflection of the exceptional breadth of talent across the UK. With more than 300 nominations submitted, each one is testament to the dedication, energy and excellence powering the industry forward. At its best, hospitality welcomes all, and these awards remind us why inclusion fuels the foundation of our industry.”
The Spotlight Awards will host 300 guests from across the country for an evening of celebration, with the awards presentation accompanied by canapés, drinks and fundraising activities.
The 2025 finalists
Individual categories
Chef of the Year
- Ben Allen – The Parakeet Pub
- Emmanuel Offei – HMP Wormwood Scrubs
- Ayesha Kalaji – Queen of Cups
- Nina Matsunaga – The Black Bull Inn, Sedbergh
Rising Star
- Jenny Barry – Jenny’s Jerk Chicken
- Nazli Ramadan – Jurkish
- Eron Mibo – Tales and Tails UK
- Angelo Gonzalez – Shakara
Writer of the Year
- Tasha Marikkar – Author
- Angela Hui – Freelance writer, editor & consultant
- Sunny Hodge – Founder & wine writer
- Angela Zaher – Food writer
Wine Professional of the Year
- Shane Jones – Wine and sake educator
- Shivani Tomar – Decanter
- Heidi Nam Knudsen – A Thousand Decisions
- Leona De Pasquale – Camellia and Vine
Beverage Innovator of the Year
- Chris Crocker – GOOD KOFFEE
- Tina Chen – HumaniTea
- Sherwin Acebuche – Tarsier Southeast Asian Spirit
- Femi Aseru – Mothers & Suns Kombucha
Head Office Impact
- Jayeeta Palit – Climpson & Sons
- Jane Wilson – PPHE Hotel Group
- Gina Knight – Flat Iron Steak
- Kan Koo MBE FIH MIoD – COSMO Group
Cuisine categories
African Food
- Ngwafu Tansie – Gwafuvegan
- Hammed Obikoya – Mama Bobo
- Michelle Igwilo – Ogoisfooding
- Khadim Mane – Little Baobab
Caribbean Food
- Jordan Johnson – Jam Delish
- Nikki Whyte – Patois
- Ryan McVay – The Calabash Tree
- Tyron Salih – Twerk ‘N’ Jerk
East and Southeast Asian Food
- Guirong Wei – Master Wei
- Kaneda Pen – Mamapen
- Haydon Wong – Cantoast
- Wenjun Xiang – Xi Home Dumplings Bay
South Asian Food
- Kanthi Thamma – The Spice Circuit
- Sohini Banerjee – Smoke and Lime
- Raj Radia – Raj Foods
- Ranji Thangiah, Rosh Olivelle, Thana Sivasambu, Krish Puwanarajah – Sri Lankan Culture Collective
Middle Eastern Food
- Sara Kiani – Kiani Tea
- Shadia Al Hili – Cuzena
- Jad Youssef – Lebnani Restaurant
- Mona Roudsari – Rzari Foods
Business categories
Bar/Pub of the Year
- Sly Augustin – Trailer Happiness
- Ryan Chetiyawardana – Seed Library
- Deano Moncrieffe – Hacha Bar
- Gento Torigata – Waltz Bar
Brand of the Year
- Creative Nature
- The Flygerians
- Zimasa Vodka
- Hot ‘N’ Juicy Shrimp LDN
People’s Choice categories
Voting for the People’s Choice Awards is now open, allowing the public to champion their favourite restaurant and hospitality professional from the finalist shortlists via the Be Inclusive Hospitality website.
People’s Choice Person of the Year
- Mauritz Borg – The Kernel Brewery
- Sadish Lalli – Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham
- Gina Knight – Flat Iron Steak
- Emanuele Mensah – The Connaught Bar
People’s Choice Restaurant of the Year
- Sham Mahabir – Limin Southbank
- Pino Edward Sinaga – Toba
- Maria Bradford – Shwen Shwen
- Nora Gower – Nora’s Kitchen