For the past two years, these prestigious awards have attracted hundreds of nominations and finalists from across the UK. Past winners include Jimi Famurewa, Akoko, Rahel Stephanie, Manju Patel, and Ahmed Abdalla. This year is set to be bigger and better with 300 guests expected to attend.

The Award Categories for the 2024 BIH Spotlight Awards are as follows:
 

Individual

Chef of the Year 

Pastry Chef of the Year

Rising star 

Writer of the Year 

Drinks Professional of the Year 

Head Office Impact 
 

Cuisine

African Food 

Caribbean Food 

East and Southeast Asian Food 

South Asian Food 

Middle Eastern Food 
 

Business

Bar/Pub of the Year 

Brand of the Year
 

In addition, two People’s Choice awards will be decided upon by calculating the most votes received for the person and restaurant, respectively:

The Peoples’ Choice Person of the Year 

The Peoples’ Choice Restaurant of the Year 

Employers and employees are invited to actively participate in the awards process by submitting nominations across all categories. Self-nominations are also welcomed.

The expert judging panel, which is a long list of esteemed hospitality leaders, will evaluate the submissions and determine the shortlist and ultimate winners.

Judges include Peach 20/20 co-founder Peter Martin, Development Chef Nitisha Patel, co-founder Monica Berg, chef & writer Akwasi Brenya Mensah, and people director Joanne Sullivan.

Lorraine Copes, founder of Be Inclusive Hospitality, says, ‘I am extremely proud and privileged to bring these awards back for a third time. We all recognise the importance of being seen and celebrated; these awards are designed to do just that. I also emphasise the power of career role models within this industry, and our awards improve the visibility of our industry's best from ethnically diverse backgrounds.’

Nomination submissions will close on 22 July 2024, and the finalists will be published on 2 September 24.  The winners will be announced at the live ceremony on Monday, 21st October 2024, at M Threadneedle Street.

Nominations can be submitted here.