This year’s finalists (full list below) include Michelin-starred West African restaurant Chishuru, Blackpool Cantonese institution Michael Wan’s Mandarin, MasterChef champion Jhané Gibson, and professionals from some of the UK’s leading hospitality businesses. BIH says the shortlist reflects the diversity and breadth of the UK hospitality sector.
Sponsored by reservations platform OpenTable, the event will take place at central London restaurant Quaglino’s on 12 October.
The 15 awards are judged by a panel of hospitality leaders including Shereen Ritchie, managing director of Kuvi Hospitality; Clement Ogbonnaya MBE, founder of the Village People Pub Company; Laure Bornet, SVP of international growth at OpenTable; and Junior Lewis, global hospitality client consultant at Caterer.com.
The shortlist comprises 60 finalists across 15 categories, representing seven regions of the UK and more than ten cuisines. It brings together talent from major restaurant and hotel groups alongside independent restaurants, bars and hospitality businesses, celebrating established leaders, emerging professionals and the next generation of industry talent.
“The BIH Spotlight Awards celebrate some of the very best talent in our sector, but they also shine a light on the breadth of opportunities that hospitality offers,” says BIH founder Lorraine Copes.
“This year’s finalists demonstrate that there is no single route into our industry or to success. Whether you aspire to be a chef, restaurateur, general manager, people professional, or drinks expert, hospitality offers rewarding careers for people with a wide range of skills, ambitions and backgrounds. I hope these finalists inspire the next generation to see what is possible.”
Laure Bornet, SVP International Growth at OpenTable, said: “Hospitality is at its best when every kind of talent can be seen, celebrated and championed, and that’s exactly what the BIH Spotlight Awards do. This year’s finalists showcase the creativity, leadership and ambition driving our sector forward, and at a time of real pressure for the industry, backing them matters more than ever. That’s why we’re proud to return to partner with Be Inclusive Hospitality in building a more representative and inclusive future for hospitality.”
Voting for the People’s Choice awards is now open via this link, allowing the public to champion their favourite restaurant and hospitality professional from the finalist shortlists.
Tickets for the BIH Spotlight Awards can be purchased here.
The 2026 finalists
Chef of the Year
Kareem Roberts — The Burleigh Arms
Chinelo Awa — Good Cake Day
Kanthi Thamma — The Spice Circuit/Tiger Eats
Ayesha Kalaji — Queen of Cups
Rising Star
N’jhell Wilson, General Manager — Bleecker
Natalia Middleton, Head of Food Education — Food Behind Bars
Dijön Bascombe, Chef & Founder — Dijön Cafe
Jhané Gibson — Chef
Writer of the Year
Ankita Neotia — Crispy Compass
Safiya Robinson — Sisterwoman
Anna Ansari
Ruchira Neotia — Ruchira’s Table
Wine Professional of the Year
Anoushica Matthews — MJ Wine Cellars & Sweet Spice
Shehnaz Hansraj — Presenter of A–Z of Wine with Shehnaz
Emmanuel Mireku — Manny Does Wine
Toni Osoba — Toni’s Wine Club
Beverage Professional of the Year
Eron Mibo — Tales & Tails
Marverine Cole — Accredited Beer Sommelier
Ruchira Neotia — Drinks Consultant
Marcy Ecoue — Marcy’s Mixes
Head Office Impact
Kethi Taitt, Senior Human Resources Officer — The Park Tower Knightsbridge
Patsy Ankrah, Inclusion and Diversity Lead — Nando’s UK & Ireland
Bertha Dewi, People & Culture Manager — The Wolseley Hospitality Group
Priya Narain, Head of Purpose & Programmes — KERB+
Restaurant categories
African Food
Chishuru
Gwafu Vegan
Shwen Shwen
The Flygerians
Caribbean Food
2210 by NattyCanCook
Paradise Cove
Windrush Cuisine
Jam Delish
East and Southeast Asian Food
Michael Wan’s Mandarin
Poon’s London
Namo
Liu Xiaomian
South Asian Food
Bindas Eatery
Darjeeling Express
Rinku Dutt
Third Culture Kat
Middle Eastern Food
Queen of Cups
Fattoush
Mouna’s Kitchen
Samarkand Palav
Business categories
Bar/Pub of the Year
House of MOBO
Bar Lotus
The Regency Club
Tiki Bar Restaurant
Brand of the Year
Borough 22 Doughnuts
Flake Bake
Chaps2210 by NattyCanCook
People’s choice categories
People’s Choice Person of the Year
Nathaniel Mortley — 2210 by NattyCanCook
Chris Ilankovan — MOTHER Canteen
Sting Khumalo — The Biltmore
Jocelyn Wong — Canopy by Hilton London City
People’s Choice Restaurant of the Year
Darjeeling Express
Chuku’s
Cavita Restaurant
Chishuru