Celebrating 2024: BIH End-of-Year Community Event

On Monday 18th November, over 60 members of the Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) community gathered for an inspiring evening to celebrate the achievements of 2024.

The event began with a welcome speech from Lorraine Copes, Founder and CEO of Be Inclusive Hospitality. Lorraine highlighted this year’s company milestones, including the first-ever international wine education trip to Italy and the sold-out BIH Spotlight Awards. She also spoke about the growth of the BIH team, each a testament to the organisation’s growing impact.

Next, Mandy Yin, Executive Chef and Founder of @sambalshiok, delivered an empowering keynote address. Reflecting on her journey, Mandy shared her ethos of sowing seeds and treating people well, which has been integral to her success. She reminded everyone that challenges are inevitable, but perseverance often leads to triumph. Her inspiring journey culminated in being named Chef of the Year at the 2024 BIH Spotlight Awards.

The evening continued with a panel discussion featuring industry leaders Rishim Sachdeva, Ifeyinwa Frederick, Kan Koo, Melissa Thompson, and Remi Williams. The panellists shared stories of risks that paid off despite their apprehension about change. They also emphasised the importance of solid support systems and taking time to reflect on and celebrate successes. Their insights left the audience motivated and ready to embrace the challenges of the year ahead.

As always, the night ended with drinks and networking. It was an opportunity for attendees to connect, reflect, and share the joy of the year’s accomplishments.

The event was a resounding success, welcoming new and familiar faces, including ambassadors and partners. Together, came together united to advance race equity in hospitality, food, and drink.

In the words of Mandy Yin: “2025, we are ready for you.”

At BIH, we host three community events annually, creating spaces for like-minded hospitality professionals to network, share experiences, and discuss critical topics shaping our industry. 

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