Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH), founded by Lorraine Copes to advance racial equity in Hospitality, Food and Drink, is proud to announce its inaugural UK BIH Spotlight Awards, taking place on 24 October 2022.
The awards will celebrate businesses and individuals of exceptional talent and achievement from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds working within the hospitality industry today.
Nominations Open on 1 August 2022 for 11 Award Categories:
Chef of the Year
African Food
Caribbean Food
East and South East Asian Food
South Asian Food
Middle Eastern Food
Bar/Pub of the Year
Drinks Professional of the Year
Writer of the Year
Head Office Impact
Rising Star
The public are invited to put forward nominations across all categories, and self-nominations are also welcomed. The shortlist and winners will be decided by our expert judging paneI.
In addition, there will be two Peoples’ Choice awards which will be decided upon calculating the most nominated person and restaurant.
The Peoples’ Choice Person of the Year
The Peoples’ Choice Restaurant of the Year.
Entries will be open via the BIH Spotlight Awards website from 1 August to 9 September 2022. The shortlist will be published on 24 September 2022 and winners announced at a live event ceremony on Monday, 24 October 2022 at Percy’s London.
The judging panel for the BIH Spotlight Awards will be co-chaired by two of the industry’s most respected personalities, TV presenter and celebrity chef Andi Oliver alongside CEO and chairman of luxury restaurant group, D&D London, Des Gunewardena. Joining them on the judging panel will be food and diversity consultant Mallika Basu; Masterchef winner and restauranteur, Shelina Permalloo; author and chef, Mike Reid; global rum ambassador, Ian Burrell; wine and sake educator, Shane Jones.
Andi Oliver comments:
‘I am thrilled to be working with the brilliant Lorraine Copes and Be Inclusive Hospitality on these hugely significant awards. We all love our industry but there is no denying it needs a shake up! The way that we
view excellence can and should be expanded. There are amazing chefs from a plethora of backgrounds, working all over the country, who are creating stunning food that reflects the multiplicity of culture in the UK. This is a way to uplift and celebrate their work! And right on time it is too!’
Lorraine Copes, founder of Be Inclusive Hospitality says, ‘Our aim for the BIH Spotlight Awards is to present opportunities for the nominees and winners alike enabling them to advance and widen their business networks and audiences. We look forward to celebrating the success of some of the brightest stars of the present and the future’.
Notes to editors
Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) is a not-for-profit organisation, founded by Lorraine Copes in 2020 to build a thriving community to accelerate race equity within hospitality, food and drink. Lorraine is an award-winning advocate and champion of change in the hospitality industry. She has held an illustrious career in the hospitality industry for over 20 years and has worked for Corbin & King and Gordon Ramsay.
Entries will be open via the BIH Spotlight Awards website from 1 August to 9 September 2022. The shortlist will be published on 24 September 2022 and winners announced at a live event ceremony on Monday, 24 October 2022 at Percy’s London.
The BIH Spotlight Awards Judging Panel
Andi Oliver – co-chair – TV presenter and celebrity chef Des Gunewardena – co-chair – CEO and chairman of D&D London Mallika Basu – food and diversity consultant
Shelina Permalloo – Masterchef winner and restauranteur Mike Reid – author and chef
Ian Burrell – global rum ambassador
Shane Jones – wine and sake educator
Andi Oliver – co-chair, judging panel
Des Gunewardena – co-chair, judging panel Lorraine Copes – founder, Be Inclusive Hospitality
Award Categories
Chef of the Year Award
This award is open to chefs from all sectors. It recognises talented chefs making major waves in the industry. The recipient must demonstrate a commitment to honing their skills, testing new ideas and captivating imaginations of their peers and foodies alike. The award also seeks to recognise those who have made broader contributions to the sector and community organisations.
African Food Award
This award will recognise exceptional African food businesses. The award recipient will be a caterer, restaurant, or street food operator, pushing the boundaries of creativity whilst running a successful business.
Caribbean Food Award
This award will recognise exceptional Caribbean food businesses. The award recipient will be a caterer, restaurant, or street food operator, pushing the boundaries of creativity whilst running a successful business.
South Asian Food Award
This award will recognise exceptional South Asian food businesses. The award recipient will be a caterer, restaurant, or street food operator, pushing the boundaries of creativity whilst running a successful business.
East & South East Asian Food Award
This award will recognise exceptional East and South East Asian food businesses. The award recipient will be a caterer, restaurant, or street food operator, pushing the boundaries of creativity whilst running a successful business.
Middle Eastern Food Award
This award will recognise exceptional Middle Eastern food businesses. The award recipient will be a caterer, restaurant, or street food operator, pushing the boundaries of creativity whilst running a successful business.
Drinks Professional of the Year Award
This award is open to drinks professionals from all sectors. The award recipient will bring excellence, authenticity and flair into the drinks industry. This award looks to celebrate sommeliers, mixologists, brewers and other drinks professionals who are helping to shape and build an exciting future in drinks.
Writer of the Year Award
The Writer of the Year award will celebrate journalists and writers within the industry, captivating the interest and imagination of their audience. The award recipient will be creative, authentic and breathe new life into the world of hospitality, food and drink writing.
Head Office Impact Award Bar
This category will recognise team members within a head office or central group function. The award recipient will be individuals who go the extra mile to support their peers and teams.
Pub and Bar of the Year Award
The Pub and Bar of the Year Award is open to people who run, own or manage a pub or bar. The recipient must be innovative, and have carved out a reputation for both service excellence and creating a community. The winner will also demonstrate a commitment to investing in and developing people.
Rising Star Award
This award looks to recognise an emerging star, working within any sector or job role within the hospitality industry, who is making a significant and exciting impact.
People’s Choice Person of the Year Award
This award will recognise individuals from any sector and profession within the UK hospitality industry. The winner will be the most frequently nominated individual across all categories.
People’s Choice Restaurant of the Year Award
This award will recognise restaurants, and food businessesfrom any sector and profession within the UK hospitality industry. The winner will be the most frequently nominated restaurant or food business across all categories.
The BIH Spotlight Awards is headline sponsored by Caterer.com and Campari Group.
Caterer.com
Caterer.com is the industry’s hiring partner, matching the right people with the right jobs. Caterer.com’s teams, technology and solutions help businesses reach the right hospitality people with their jobs and brand messaging. From job ads and candidate profiles, to video interviewing,
plus search and match tools unlike any other, Caterer.com is built to find the right hospitality hires for future business success.
Campari Group
Campari Group is a major player in the global spirits industry, with a portfolio of over 50 premium and super premium brands, spreading across Global, Regional and Local priorities. Global Priorities, the Group’s key focus, include Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, SKYY, Wild Turkey and Grand Marnier. The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry.
Press release from Be Inclusive Hospitality
For further information please contact J E Communications jean@jeanegbunike.com or avis@jeanegbunike.com