Be Inclusive Hospitality launches first UK Spotlight Awards
Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH), founded by Lorraine Copes to advance racial equity in Hospitality, Food and Drink, is proud to announce its inaugural 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.
Be Inclusive Hospitality launches first UK Spotlight Awards
Nominations opened on 1 August 2022 across 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 panel.
In addition, there will be two People’s Choice awards which will be decided by calculating the most nominated person and restaurant.
The People’s Choice Person of the Year
The People’s Choice Restaurant of the Year
You can read more information on the award categories here.
Entries will be open via the BIH Spotlight Awards website from 1 August and will close on 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 Kensington.
The judging panel for the BIH Spotlight Awards will be co-chaired by two of the industry’s most respected personalities, TV chef and broadcaster 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 restaurateur 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’.
You can view a full list of our judging panel below.
The BIH Spotlight Awards Judging Panel
Andi Oliver – Co Chair – TV presenter and celebrity chef
Des Gunewardena – Co Chair – CEO and Chairman, D&D London
Mallika Basu – food and diversity consultant
Shelina Permalloo – Masterchef winner and restaurateur
Mike Reid – author and chef
Ian Burrell – global rum ambassador
Shane Jones – wine and sake educator
The BIH Spotlight Awards is headline sponsored by Caterer.com and Campari Group.
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 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.
For further information on the BIH Spotlight Awards or to interview Lorraine Copes, founder of BIH or members of the judging panel please contact J E Communications jean@jeanegbunike.com or avis@jeanegbunike.com