Nominations open for hospitality awards seeking to drive racial equity

Food & Drink

The Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) Spotlight 2022 Awards – which has been set up to drive racial equity in Hospitality, Food and Drink, has opened nominations for the inaugural event.

Founded by Lorraine Copes, nominations close on September 9.   

The awards will celebrate businesses and individuals of exceptional talent and achievement from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds working within the hospitality industry.

Nominations are being taken 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 an expert judging panel. 

In addition, there will be two Peoples’ Choice awards which will be decided upon calculating the most nominated person and restaurant: The Peoples’ Choice Person of the Year and The Peoples’ Choice Restaurant of the Year. 

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 London. 

The judging panel for the BIH Spotlight Awards will be co-chaired by two of the industry’s most respected personalities, TV presenter and celebrity 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 restauranteur, Shelina Permalloo; author and chef, Mike Reid; global Rum ambassador, Ian Burrell; wine and sake educator, Shane Jones.  

Andi Oliver said: “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 stated that, “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.” 

Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) is a not-for-profit organisation, founded by Lorraine Copes in 2020 to build a thriving community to accelerate race equity within hospitality, food and drink.  Lorraine is an award-winning advocate and champion of change in the hospitality industry.  She was the winner of GQ Magazine Food and Drink Innovator 2022 Award, and has been voted one of the 100 most influential entrepreneurs in hospitality for 2022. She has held an illustrious career in the hospitality industry for over 20 years and has worked for Corbin & King and Gordon Ramsay.