The people who make Britain’s hospitality industry tick will take centre stage when the Hospitality Awards UK returns to London this month for its fourth edition.
Chefs, bartenders, hoteliers, restaurateurs, entrepreneurs, suppliers and guest-facing teams will gather at The Waldorf Hilton London on November 9 for the Hospitality Awards UK 2026.
The invitation-only, black-tie gala will bring together professionals, business leaders and emerging talent to recognise the people and businesses shaping the UK hospitality experience.
Organised by UK Confederation by CONFASSOCIAZIONI, the Awards are entering a new chapter. The event has strong Italian roots, but its focus is widening to recognise achievement across the broader UK hospitality sector. The ambition is to provide a platform for professional recognition, industry connections and inspiration.
The event has strong Italian roots, but its focus is widening to recognise achievement across the broader UK hospitality sector…
UK hospitality leaders gather in London
The programme reflects the breadth of the business, with awards covering food and drink, hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars and bakeries. Guest experience, leadership, entrepreneurship and hospitality content creation also feature, alongside recognition for rising talent and individuals whose work has left a lasting mark on the industry.
Stefano Potortì, President of UK Confederation and co-organiser of the Awards, believes the people behind memorable hospitality deserve greater recognition.
“Behind every memorable stay or meal is a team whose skill and commitment make it possible,” he says. “These Awards recognise work across the UK, including the people who rarely receive public recognition.”
The judging panel brings together seven figures with experience across bars, luxury hotels, culinary craft, pizza, recruitment and hospitality communications. Among them are internationally recognised bar professional Salvatore Calabrese, known as The Maestro; Luca Virgilio, listed by the Awards as Area General Manager and Global Director of Residences at The Dorchester; and chef and food communicator Danilo Cortellini.
The panel also includes Michele Pascarella, named Global Pizza Maker of the Year 2023, luxury hospitality recruitment specialist Salvatore Fernandez, and hospitality communicators Angelo Coassin and Alice Sampo.
Hospitality Awards UK 2026 partners
A broad group of partners is supporting this year’s event. Platinum Partners are illy, Sei Bellissimi, The Waldorf Hilton London, San Felice – including its Bell’Aja and Campogiovanni estate brands – and Carnevale. Gold and Silver Partners represent a range of hospitality operators, food and drink specialists, travel, education, communications, design, professional services and live events.
There’s also a charitable purpose to the evening. Hospitality Action, which supports hospitality workers and their families through difficult periods, will benefit from a silent auction and a donation QR code. Potortì says the organisers want the Awards to help build lasting industry connections while supporting colleagues facing difficult times.
The Hospitality Awards UK 2026 takes place on Monday November 9 at The Waldorf Hilton London, Aldwych.
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The people who make Britain’s hospitality industry tick will take centre stage when the Hospitality Awards UK returns to London this month for its fourth edition.
Chefs, bartenders, hoteliers, restaurateurs, entrepreneurs, suppliers and guest-facing teams will gather at The Waldorf Hilton London on November 9 for the Hospitality Awards UK 2026.
The invitation-only, black-tie gala will bring together professionals, business leaders and emerging talent to recognise the people and businesses shaping the UK hospitality experience.
Organised by UK Confederation by CONFASSOCIAZIONI, the Awards are entering a new chapter. The event has strong Italian roots, but its focus is widening to recognise achievement across the broader UK hospitality sector. The ambition is to provide a platform for professional recognition, industry connections and inspiration.
UK hospitality leaders gather in London
The programme reflects the breadth of the business, with awards covering food and drink, hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars and bakeries. Guest experience, leadership, entrepreneurship and hospitality content creation also feature, alongside recognition for rising talent and individuals whose work has left a lasting mark on the industry.
Stefano Potortì, President of UK Confederation and co-organiser of the Awards, believes the people behind memorable hospitality deserve greater recognition.
“Behind every memorable stay or meal is a team whose skill and commitment make it possible,” he says. “These Awards recognise work across the UK, including the people who rarely receive public recognition.”
The judging panel brings together seven figures with experience across bars, luxury hotels, culinary craft, pizza, recruitment and hospitality communications. Among them are internationally recognised bar professional Salvatore Calabrese, known as The Maestro; Luca Virgilio, listed by the Awards as Area General Manager and Global Director of Residences at The Dorchester; and chef and food communicator Danilo Cortellini.
The panel also includes Michele Pascarella, named Global Pizza Maker of the Year 2023, luxury hospitality recruitment specialist Salvatore Fernandez, and hospitality communicators Angelo Coassin and Alice Sampo.
Hospitality Awards UK 2026 partners
A broad group of partners is supporting this year’s event. Platinum Partners are illy, Sei Bellissimi, The Waldorf Hilton London, San Felice – including its Bell’Aja and Campogiovanni estate brands – and Carnevale. Gold and Silver Partners represent a range of hospitality operators, food and drink specialists, travel, education, communications, design, professional services and live events.
There’s also a charitable purpose to the evening. Hospitality Action, which supports hospitality workers and their families through difficult periods, will benefit from a silent auction and a donation QR code. Potortì says the organisers want the Awards to help build lasting industry connections while supporting colleagues facing difficult times.
The Hospitality Awards UK 2026 takes place on Monday November 9 at The Waldorf Hilton London, Aldwych.
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London’s Shogun Sakes is putting English sake on the drinks map with a Peckham-brewed Junmai that could make an intriguing Christmas gift for spirits enthusiasts. Traditionally associated with Japan, the rice-based drink is now finding a foothold in the UK, with independent producer Shogun Sakes brewing its Pure English Sake in small batches in Peckham.…
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