Exceptional young people and leading apprentices from the hospitality industry have today been recognised at the Hospitality Guild’s Young Hall of Fame and Apprenticeship Awards.
The 27 new inductees into the Young Hall of Fame and seven Apprentice Awards category winners were announced at an event held at the Tower of London with Michel Roux Jr, chef patron at Le Gavroche, and judge and presenter of BBC Masterchef: the Professionals, as keynote speaker and co-host.
“I am very pleased to see so many talented young people here today. As a former apprentice myself, I know how important this training is for producing the hospitality leaders of tomorrow,” said Michel.
“These awards are crucial for the industry and I commend the Hospitality Guild and People 1st for this important initiative. I congratulate all the winners and wish them every success in their careers.”
Sophie Roberts-Brown, operations director of the Hospitality Guild, who co-hosted the event with Michel, said that the awards, which are run in conjunction with People 1st, are designed to recognise and celebrate high achievers undertaking apprenticeships, and the people who support them.
“These awards promote the industry as a great place to work, highlight the value apprentices can offer, and celebrate those who play an essential role in supporting apprentices on their chosen career path.
“This has been an incredibly moving and positive event and I’m thrilled that our industry has come together to celebrate so many incredible people here today.
“The passion and enthusiasm of everyone involved – the young people, their employers and those who came to support them – points to a great future for hospitality.”
Winners of the categories in the Hospitality Guild Apprenticeship Awards are:
Intermediate Apprentice of the Year
- Conan Brooks, Chef de Partie Apprentice, Charnwood Training Group
Advanced Apprentice of the Year
- Connor Black, Commis Chef, The Hand and Flowers
Mentor of the Year
- Allister Bishop, Executive Sous Chef, Harrods Ltd
SME Employer of the Year (fewer than 250 employees) - joint award
- Moleface Group
- The Bonnington (Cavendish Hotel) Ltd
Large Employer of the Year (more than 250 employees)
- The Orchid Group
Partnership of the Year
- Spirit Pub Company and Charnwood Training Group
This year’s awards, which were sponsored by learndirect and the Federation for Industry Sector Skills & Standards (FISSS), also received support from the National Apprenticeship Service, PACE, and the BII.
Inducted into the Young Hall of Fame are:
Chef Category
Matthew Ambrose, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Annual Awards of Excellence Young Chef of the Year
Sophie Bamford, William Curley, Master Chefs of Great Britain David Lyell Scholarship
Josh Bingham, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Award
Hayley Cancea, Springboard FutureChef
Ben Cook, Sheffield Hallam University, Springboard Young Guns
Theo Dalton-Maag, Nathan Gayle and Samuel Jones, Westminster Kingsway College, Master Chefs of Great Britain Asian Junior Chefs Challenge
Holly Dixon, Sheffield Hallam University, Springboard Young Guns
Ruth Hansom, Boundary Restaurant, Master Chefs of Great Britain Young Chef of the Year and Craft Guild of Chefs Apprentice Chef of the Year
Lucy Jones, The Ritz, Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Annual Awards of Excellence Young Pastry Chef of the Year
Jai V Kadam, Cinnamon Kitchen, Asian Curry Awards Young Asian and Oriental Chef of the Year
William Yarney, Westminster Kingsway College, PM Trust and Springboard Kick Start Star of the Future
Front of House Category
Charlotte Bonser, The Bowman, Hospitality Guild Intermediate Apprentice of the Year 2012
Kathrine Larsen, Zuma, Academy of Food & Wine Service UK Young Sommelier of the Year
Colleen McCann and Lauren Beavers, South West College Northern Ireland, Nestlé Toque d’Or
Adam Willis, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Annual Awards of Excellence Young Waiter of the Year
Hotel Services Category
James Field, Whitbread, HOSPA Education and Training Programme Student Award – Revenue Management
Nina Fleischle, Sheraton Hotels, HOSPA Education and Training Programme Student Award – Finance
Emma Keeling, Ramada Birmingham North, Hospitality Guild Advanced Apprentice of the Year 2012
Min Mickevicius, The George in Rye, HOSPA Education and Training Programme Student Award – Revenue Management
Tania Mitchell, Premier Inn Middle East, HOSPA Education and Training Programme Student Award – Revenue Management
Jayne Nicholson, Portland Hotels, HOSPA Education and Training Programme Student Award – Revenue Management
Jolanta Pieczulis, Jury’s Inn Group Ltd, HOSPA Education and Training Programme Student Award – Finance
Arian Röhrle, The Connaught, AICR UK Receptionist of the Year
Emma Smith, HOSPA Education and Training Programme Student Award – Revenue Management
The complete list of Apprenticeship Award and Young Hall of Fame winners is available on the Hospitality Guild website at www.hospitalityguild.co.uk/awards