A MAJOR new awards ceremony celebrating Black and minority ethnic talent in the hospitality industry is set to take place in London next month.
The inaugural Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) Spotlight Awards will recognise the achievements of talented individuals and businesses across 11 award categories including African Food, Caribbean Food, Drinks Professional of the Year and Chef of the Year.
The judging panel for the BIH Spotlight Awards will be co-chaired by TV presenter and celebrity chef Andi Oliver and Des Gunewardena, CEO and Chairman of luxury restaurant group, D&D London.
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; and global rum ambassador, Ian Burrell.
The BIH Spotlight Awards was created by Lorraine Copes, founder of non-profit organisation Be Inclusive Hospitality and recently voted one of the 100 most influential entrepreneurs in hospitality for 2022.
She told The Voice: “Since founding Be Inclusive Hospitality in 2020, I have built a phenomenal community of 400 Black and ethnic minority professionals at all career levels throughout the UK. Within this community are some extraordinary businesses and people who are making major waves within the wine, spirits, writing and restaurants sectors of the hospitality industry.”
Copes continued: “I always review the winner’s lists from most of the industry awards, and generally speaking they are not representative of the ethnically diverse talent within the sector. A report commissioned on our behalf back 2020 before the pandemic confirmed that 17.83% of the sector identify as Black or ethnic minority. The talent is there, but for the majority they are not visible, So the aim of the awards is to shine a spotlight on this exceptional talent.”
Speaking about her role as co-chair of the judging panel 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.”
Winners of the 11 award categories will be announced at a ceremony on Monday, 24 October 24 at Percy’s London.
Source: The Voice
