Last night saw some of the best in the industry praised for their efforts in hospitality at the annual AA Hospitality Awards in London.
The dinner was held at London Hilton on Park Lane and saw 22 establishments rewarded for outstanding excellence in their field, in a range of categories including AA Hotel of the Year, AA Restaurant of the Year and the newest addition, the AA Food Service award.
The AA Chefs' Chef of the Year Award went to renowned cook, Tom Kerridge, while Harry Murray MBE, Lucknam Park scooped the AA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Attended by chefs, hoteliers and hospitality gurus, the AA Hospitality Awards draw on the expertise of AA inspectors and other industry professionals, who are involved in the judging process. Winners are carefully selected in recognition of excellence and success in their chosen category, having demonstrated a significant improvement in the preceding 12-18 months, enhancing both their guest and diner experiences and proving their dedication to raising industry standards.
The newest of the awards, the AA Food Service Award, recognises establishments who not only deliver excellent standards of restaurant service and hospitality, but also have technical service skills, fantastic food and beverage knowledge and a clear commitment to staff training and development.
The 2013-14 AA Hospitality Award winners are:
AA Chefs' Chef of the Year (sponsored by Caterer.com)
Winner: Tom Kerridge
AA Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Harry Murray MBE, Lucknam Park
AA Hotel of the Year
Winner, England: Gravetye Manor, East Grinstead
Winner, Wales: Llangoed Hall, Llyswen
Winner, Scotland: Cringletie House, Peebles
Winner, Northern Ireland: The Merchant Hotel, Belfast
Winner, London (sponsored by Brief Your Market): DUKES, London
AA Restaurant of the Year
Winner, England: The Artichoke, Amersham
Winner, Wales: Ye Olde Bulls Head, Beaumaris
Winner, Scotland: Ondine Restaurant, Edinburgh
Winner, London (sponsored by Food and Travel Magazine): Medlar, London
AA Wine Award (sponsored by Matthew Clark)
Winner, Scotland and Overall: The Witchery By The Castle, Edinburgh
Winner, England: Northcote, Llangho
Winner, Wales: Park House, Cardiff
AA Pub of the Year
Winner, England: Elveden Inn, Elveden
Winner, Wales: The Groes Inn, Conwy
Winner, Scotland: The Sheep Heid Inn, Edinburgh
AA Small Hotel Group of the Year (sponsored by Beacon)
Winner: Red Carnation Hotels
AA Hotel Group of the Year (sponsored by D-ENERGi)
Winner: Macdonald Hotels
AA Eco Hotel and Eco Hotel Group of the Year
Winner, Eco Hotel: Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons
Winner, Eco Hotel Group: Accor Hotels
AA Food Service Award (sponsored by People 1st)
Winner: The Waterside Inn
Source: Hotel Business
