Chefs and hoteliers in London were celebrating on Monday night after winning a host of accolades at this year’s AA Hospitality Awards.
Famous faces gathered among 900 guests at the Marriott hotel in Mayfair to pay tribute to the hospitality industry, honouring achievements across 16 categories.
It was Muse founder Tom Aikens, 54, who scooped the coveted AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year title, having cooked at the top of the game since the age of 26.
Other winners in London included the Silver Birch in Chiswick, which joined the likes of Thomas by Tom Simmons in Cardiff, and Loch Bay on the Isle of Skye, in the Restaurants of the Year section.
Head chef Nathan Cornwell said: “Winning this award is an incredible honour for me and the entire team at The Silver Birch. It’s a testament to our hard work, dedication, and passion for creating exceptional dining experiences.
“This recognition inspires us to continue pushing the boundaries of contemporary British cuisine and to keep delighting our guests with innovative and sustainably sourced dishes. We’re deeply grateful for the support of our wonderful guests.”
The Dorchester, meanwhile, was among the winning Hotels of the Year, and 1 Hotel Mayfair earned top billing in the sustainability category.
Luca Virgilio, general manager at the Dorchester, said: “We are incredibly proud of this wonderful achievement. This is a testament to the passion and hard work of every team member at the hotel. This truly is an exciting time for us as we enter anew era at The Dorchester.”
The AA also handed out a host of new rosettes, with Restaurant 1890 by Gordon Ramsay, not long open at the Savoy, becoming a four-rosette location, and Humo getting three.
Numerous other accolades were awarded to hospitality businesses across the UK at the event, which was presented by Angellica Bell, last year’s winner of Celebrity MasterChef.
