Liverpool Hospitality People Awards receives record breaking number of nominations for 2026

More than 75 hospitality and retail professionals have been shortlisted across 15 categories at this year’s Liverpool Hospitality People Awards as the city prepares to celebrate its industry stars at Titanic Hotel Liverpool.

The Liverpool Hospitality Association has announced the finalists for the Liverpool Hospitality People Awards 2026, celebrating the exceptional individuals and teams who help make Liverpool one of the UK’s most vibrant hospitality destinations.

Held in association with Saffron Vanilla, Liverpool ONE, Liverpool Accommodation BID and Titanic Hotel & Rum Warehouse, the awards recognise excellence across the city’s hospitality and retail sectors, highlighting the remarkable talent, dedication and innovation shaping Liverpool’s ever-evolving visitor economy.

This year has seen a record number of nominations, with more than 75 finalists shortlisted across 15 categories.

Peter Schriewersmann, Co-Chair of Liverpool Hospitality Association, said:

“It’s been a fantastic year for the awards, with nominations exceeding last year’s record. This year’s shortlist features more than 75 finalists, which is a testament to the strength and vibrancy of Liverpool’s hospitality sector.”

Co-Chair Helen Roberts added:

“We’re excited to move to the next stage of the judging process, where all finalists will have the opportunity to meet our judges. With such a strong shortlist, it will be a difficult task choosing the winners.”

Judging panels include Liverpool Hospitality Association board members alongside independent industry experts and award sponsors, including headline sponsor Saffron Vanilla, founded by local chef and entrepreneur Stephen Ramsden.

Stephen Ramsden said:

“We’ve had so many high-calibre entries this year, making the judges’ job incredibly difficult when selecting the shortlist. It’s encouraging to see the hospitality industry in the region performing at such a professional level. Congratulations to all the finalists. The future of hospitality in our region is shaped by the people who care for it – you are the custodians of that future. Embrace it and run with it.”

The awards feature 15 categories including Rising Star, Front of House, Heart of House, Chef of the Year, Top Team and the Retail Excellence Award. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 30 April 2026 at the Rum Warehouse, Titanic Hotel Liverpool.

Brian Connor, General Manager at the Titanic Hotel Liverpool, said:

“We are delighted to once again host the prestigious Liverpool Hospitality People Awards at Titanic Hotel Liverpool. Congratulations to everyone nominated – you are true shining stars within your businesses and across the city’s hospitality sector.”

Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool Accommodation BID, added: “We’re proud to support the Manager of the Year category at the Liverpool Hospitality Awards, recognising the exceptional leadership driving our hospitality sector forward. Great managers are the backbone of Liverpool’s world-class visitor economy – inspiring teams, delivering outstanding customer experiences and helping venues thrive in a fast-moving industry. Congratulations to everyone nominated and shortlisted.”

The awards also recognise outstanding customer excellence within the retail sector.

Donna Howitt, Place Strategy Director at Liverpool ONE, said:

“Liverpool is renowned for its friendliness and warm welcome, and these awards provide a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the passion, dedication and talent that drive both hospitality and retail forward. We’re proud to sponsor the awards again this year and extend our warmest congratulations to all shortlisted nominees.”

Credit: Liverpool Hospitality People Awards

The Liverpool Hospitality People Awards 2026 finalists are:

Rising Star Award sponsored by Titanic Hotel Liverpool

Alicja Lipowska, Housekeeping, Hope Street Hotel
Darby Williams, Duty Manager, Flight Club Liverpool
Elliot Mitchell, Trainee Guest Services Manager, Holiday Inn Express Liverpool Royal Albert Dock
Emily Quest, Marketing Apprentice, Liverpool City Halls (St George’s Hall)
Fred Lowe, Bar Team Member, Crowne Plaza
Liv O’Sullivan, Events Assistant, BOXPARK Liverpool

Unsung Hero sponsored by The Hospitality Hero

Aubrey Edwards, Deputy General, Manager Slim Chickens
Craig Roe, Staff Restaurant Manager, Liverpool Football Club
Emily Lavender-Robinson, Reservations Administrator, Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village
Miroslav Turiak, Linen Porter, Leonardo Hotel Liverpool
Peter Wood, Concierge, The Halyard Liverpool
Zack Naylor, Breakfast Chef, Maldron Hotel Liverpool

Front of House Award sponsored by Hops & Barley

Grace Boyd Group, Sales & Events Co-ordinator, INNSiDE by Melia
Jon Ormrod, Concierge, Pullman Liverpool
Jonathan Addy, Concierge, Hilton Liverpool
Luca Toner, Graduate Management Trainee at Titanic Hotel Liverpool Titanic Hotel Liverpool
Manos Grigoriadis, Assistant Reception Manager, The Halyard Liverpool
Simone Ciannella, Front Office Supervisor, Radisson RED Hotel

Heart of House sponsored by Visit Isle Of Man

Adam Simpson, Maintenance Assistant, Maldron Hotel Liverpool
Alex Denisova, Accounts Assistant / Social Media Champion, Holiday Inn
Amirhossein Shaygan Momen, Kitchen Porter at Titanic Hotel Liverpool
Chris Klein, Guest Experience Manager, Pullman Liverpool
Rachel Stevens, Finance Manager, Happy Days
Ram Meadows, Kitchen Porter, Liverpool Football Club

Excellence in Food Service sponsored by The Guide Liverpool

Abbi Metcalf, Supervisor, The Real Greek
Abi Welsh, Food & Beverage Host, Pullman Liverpool
Eva Peto, Assistant F&B Manager, The Municipal Hotel & Spa – MGallery Liverpool
Libby Strickland, Rum Warehouse Events Supervisor at Titanic Hotel Liverpool Titanic Hotel Liverpool
Marcio De Sousa, Food Services Team Member, Crowne Plaza
Rebekah Hughes, Food & Beverage Operations Manager, Malmaison Liverpool

Excellence in Bar Service sponsored by Wigan Beer

Adam Hughes, Mixologist at Manolo Manolo
Becca Minay, F&B Assistant, Maldron Hotel Liverpool
Jake Regan, Bar Team Member, The Real Greek
Toby Pickford, Bartender, Radisson RED Hotel
Tom Widdows, Food & Beverage Host, Pullman Liverpool

The Tracy Fearon Excellence in Retail Award sponsored by Liverpool ONE

Benn Carroll, Bath & Body Works
Chloe Evans, Manager, Jo Malone London
Shanna Major, & Other Stories
Sue O’Shea, Stylist, Jo Malone London
Veronica Pina, Zara

Young Chef of the Year sponsored by MSP Global

Alex Barbuntiou, Commis Chef, Crowne Plaza
Alfie Kennedy, Chef, The Halyard Liverpool
Nathan Murdock, Commis Chef, Titanic Hotel Liverpool
Rodrigo Gonzalez Egea, Commis Chef, Radisson RED Hotel

Chef of the Year sponsored by Sugar & Lime

Daryl Jackson, Junior Sous Chef, Pullman Liverpool
Dzhan Shefket, Meeting & Events Sou Chef, INNSIDE by Melia
Ghobad Molaei, Sous Chef, The Real Greek
Jesus Garcia, Sous Chef, Crowne Plaza
Joseph Craig Hird, Chef de partie, Lunya
Kelly Hughes, Sous Chef, L20 Restaurant at Hugh Baird College
Luke Sumners, Junior Sous Chef, NORD

Head Chef of the Year sponsored by Saffron Vanilla

Andrew Green, Executive Head Chef, The Municipal Hotel & Spa – MGallery Liverpool
Dave Upson, Executive Head Chef, Lunya
Kieran Wilson, Head Chef, NORD
Larry Whitbread, Head Chef, Leonardo Hotel Liverpool
Michele Tarantino, Head Chef, San Carlo Liverpool
Tim Adams Executive, Head Chef, Liverpool Football Club

Sales & Revenue Star sponsored by Expedia

Brian Churchill, Sales Manager, INNSiDE by Melia Liverpool
Cybelle Sant’ana, Reservations and Event Sales Manager, Holiday Inn
Daniel Fay, Sales and Events Manager, Flight Club Liverpool
Georgina Melling, Revenue & Sales Manager, Happy Days
Lesley Theadorous, Sales & Marketing Manager at BOXPARK Liverpool
Michelle Melia, Sales & Accounts Manager, Radisson RED Hotel
Ryan Walker, Sales Manager, San Carlo
Saul Hamlett, Sales & Events Manager, ROXY Ball Room

Manager of the Year sponsored by Liverpool Accommodation BID

Dawn Wilson, HR Director, The Municipal Hotel & Spa – MGallery Liverpool
James Wilkinson, General manager, Baa Bar Group
Jamie Mooney, General Manager, Wingstop
Jenni Knott, Revenue Manager, Holiday Inn Express Liverpool Royal Albert Dock
Matt Philiskirk, Maintenance Manager, Pullman Liverpool
Tasha Godwin, General Manager, Bistro Franc

Top Team sponsored by PIB Insurance

Breakfast Team, Holiday Inn Express Liverpool Royal Albert Dock
F&B Team, The Municipal Hotel & Spa – MGallery Liverpool
Front Office, Delta Hotels by Marriott Liverpool City Centre
Jaloux Brunch Team, Jaloux
Kitchen Department at Titanic Hotel Liverpool Titanic Hotel Liverpool
Maintenance Team, Pullman Liverpool

There is no shortlist for the Judges’ Choice Award or the Liverpool Hospitality Chairman’s Award. Winners of both categories will be announced on the night.

The awards are sponsored by Saffron Vanilla, Liverpool ONE, Liverpool Accommodation BID, Titanic Hotel & Rum Warehouse, Hospitality Hero, Wigan Beer, MSP Global, The Guide Liverpool, Sugar & Lime, Hops & Barley, Visit Isle of Man and Expedia. Thanks also to Toni James, RW Photography, Red Events, Ribble Farm, Bexleys Craft Butchers, Sysco, Gills Puddings, Champagne Lanson, Alliance and Cool Breeze Agency.

Get more info about the awards here.

Get the latest Liverpool hospitality news here.

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