Finalists Announced: 2025 Be Inclusive Hospitality Spotlight Awards
- Guild Secretary
- Aug 27
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 28
Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) has announced the finalists for its fourth annual BIH Spotlight Awards, which recognise the exceptional talent of Black, Asian, and ethnic minority individuals and businesses within hospitality, food, and drink across the UK.
With OpenTable as the headline sponsor, the prestigious ceremony will be held on Monday 13th October at Quaglino's in London, where winners across 15 categories will be celebrated.
This year’s awards drew in high engagement, with over 300 nominations submitted from across the UK, demonstrating the growing awareness of diverse talent within the industry. Following a week of deliberation, an esteemed panel of hospitality leaders selected finalists who represent leadership, creativity, and innovation.
The expert judging panel includes renowned BBQ chef and writer Melissa Thompson, Chief Executive of Umbrella Training Adele C.Oxberry, and writer, poet, and academic Anna Sulan Massing, alongside 21 other distinguished hospitality leaders.
Founder of Be Inclusive Hospitality, Lorraine Copes, said: “ I may well say this every year, but since I am not part of the judging process, it truly is the case. 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's Senior Director at OpenTable: “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 ceremony promises to be a landmark celebration of diversity, inclusion, and community within UK hospitality, hosting 300 guests from across the UK. The evening will include an awards presentation, canapés, drinks, and fundraising activities, as the awards continue to gain momentum as the established celebration of diversity in hospitality.
Tickets for the BIH Spotlight Awards can be purchased here.
The 2025 Finalists
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES
Chef of the Year - Sponsored by Caterer.com
Chef Ben Allen - The Parakeet Pub
Emmanuel Offei - HMP Wormwood Scrubs
Ayesha Kalaji - Queen of Cups
Nina Matsunaga - The Black Bull Inn, Sedbergh
Rising Star - Sponsored by Ting
Jenny Barry - Jenny’s Jerk Chicken
Nazli Ramadan - Jurkish
Eron Mibo - Tales and Tails UK
Angelo Gonzalez - Shakara
Writer of the Year - Sponsored by Eko Brewery
Tasha Marikkar - Author
Angela Hui - Freelance Writer, Editor & Consultant
Sunny Hodge - Founder & Wine Writer
Angela Zaher - Food Writer
Wine Professional of the Year - Sponsored by Decanter
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 - Sponsored by Moët Hennessy
Chris Crocker - GOOD KOFFEE
Tina Chen - HumaniTea
Sherwin Acebuche - Tarsier Southeast Asian Spirit
Femi Aseru - Mothers & Suns Kombucha
Head Office Impact - Sponsored by Umbrella Training Ltd
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 - Sponsored by The Voice
Ngwafu Tansie - Gwafuvegan
Hammed Obikoya - Mama Bobo
Michelle Igwilo - Ogoisfooding
Khadim Mane - Little Baobab
Caribbean Food - Sponsored by The Voice
Jordan Johnson - Jam Delish
Nikki Whyte - Patois
Ryan McVay - The Calabash Tree
Tyron Salih - Twerk ‘N’ Jerk
East and Southeast Asian Food - Sponsored by Tarsier Spirit
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 - Sponsored by OpenTable
Sly Augustin - Trailer Happiness
Ryan Chetiyawardana - Seed Library
Deano Moncrieffe - Hacha Bar
Gento Torigata - Waltz Bar
Brand of the Year - Sponsored by Deliveroo
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 via https://bihospitality.co.uk/vote-2025/, allowing the public to champion their favourite restaurant and hospitality professional from the finalist shortlists.
People's Choice Person of the Year - Sponsored by Bibendum
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 - Sponsored by OpenTable
Sham Mahabir - LIMIN SOUTHBANK
Pino Edward Sinaga - Toba
Maria Bradford - Shwen Shwen
Nora Gower - Nora’s Kitchen
– ENDS –
Notes to Editor
About Be Inclusive Hospitality
Be Inclusive Hospitality is a not-for-profit social enterprise building a thriving community to accelerate race equity within hospitality, food and drink. It drives action through research, empowering its community with funded initiatives and partnering with organisations committed to fostering inclusion. Founded by Lorraine Copes in 2020, she has held an illustrious career in the industry for over 20 years and worked for Gordon Ramsay, The Wolseley Hospitality Group, and Shake Shack.
About OpenTable
OpenTable, a global leader in restaurant tech and part of Booking Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG), helps more than 60,000 restaurants worldwide fill 1.9 billion seats a year. OpenTable’s world-class technology empowers restaurants to focus on what matters most – their team, their guests, and their bottom line – while enabling diners to discover and book the perfect restaurant for every occasion.
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