BIH Spotlight Awards 2025 Finalists Announced
BIH Spotlight Awards 2025 Finalists Announced
The wait is over! The finalists for the fourth annual BIH Spotlight Awards are here. These awards shine a light on the incredible talent and achievements of Black, Asian, and ethnic minority individuals and businesses in hospitality, food, and drink across the UK.
With OpenTable as the headline sponsor, the prestigious ceremony will be held on Monday 13th October 2025 at Quaglino’s in London, where winners across 15 categories will be celebrated.
This year’s awards drew in over 300 nominations from across the UK, demonstrating the growing awareness and recognition of diverse talent within the industry. After a week of deliberation, an esteemed panel of hospitality leaders selected the finalists who represent leadership, creativity, and innovation.
The judging panel included 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, added:
“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 2025 Finalists
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
- 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
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
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 Eko Brewery
- 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, 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
Vote for the People’s Choice Awards here.
The 2025 BIH Spotlight Awards ceremony will host 300 guests from across the UK for a night of celebration. Guests will enjoy an awards presentation, canapés, drinks, and fundraising activities.
Purchase tickets for the BIH Spotlight Awards.
Read more about the BIH Spotlight Awards on a blog here.