Meet the winners of the Chester Hospitality People Awards 2024

The annual Chester Hospitality People Awards returned last night, celebrating the best of the city’s hospitality sector.

More than 300 guests from Chester’s vibrant hospitality community attended the Chester Hospitality People Awards, which showcased the remarkable talents and contributions of individuals and establishments shaping the city’s ever-evolving landscape.

Held at Chester Racecourse, the evening began with a drinks reception courtesy of Think Wine Group, followed by a delectable three-course meal prepared by the Horseradish team. The awards presentation was hosted by The Guide’s Jay Hynd and Gemma Cutting.

Winners were chosen through a rigorous selection process, with a judging panel of industry experts interviewing and deliberating over the nominees.

Here are the winners in each of the 15 categories:

• Heart of House, sponsored by Excello Law:
  • Winner: Emily Jones, Storyhouse
  • Highly Commended: Jayne Weston, Holiday Inn Ellesmere Port & Scott Pritchard, Artezzan Chester
• Front Of House, sponsored by Chester BID:
  • Winner: Caitlin Walsh, Upstairs at the Grill
  • Highly Commended: Kevin Critchley, The Chester Grosvenor & Zornitsa Chipilova, Leonardo Hotels
• Rising Star Award, sponsored by Avrenim Protect:
  • Winner: Charlotte Lewis, Moxy Chester
• Excellence in Food Service, sponsored by Matthew Clark:
  • Winner: Piotr Kasprzyk, The Chester Grosvenor
  • Highly Commended: Nicola Perry-Hesketh, Chester Townhouse
• Sommelier of the Year, sponsored by Champagne Lanson:
  • Winner: Cino Noir, Chef’s Table/Twenty Eight
  • Highly Commended: Boris Filip, The Chester Grosvenor
• Bar Person of the Year, sponsored by The Guide Liverpool:
  • Winner: Chris Holland, Artezzan Chester
• Unsung Hero, sponsored by The Hospitality Hero:
  • Winner: Jeffrey Jones, Carden Park Hotel & Spa
  • Highly Commended: Lizzie Butterworth, Chester Cathedral
• Young Chef of the Year, sponsored by We Love Good Times:
  • Winner: Ged Jones, The Forge
  • Highly Commended: Ellie Whitehead, Old Bishops Palace LTD
• Chef of the Year, sponsored by Horseradish:
  • Winner: Cyril Gabriel, Carden Park Hotel & Spa
• Head Chef of the Year, sponsored by Saffron Vanilla:
  • Winner: Jade Cheema, Artezzan Chester
• Sales & Revenue Star, sponsored by CanDo Payment & Elavon:
  • Winner: Alex Atkinson, Storyhouse
• Top Team Award, sponsored by Chester Race Company:
  • Winner: Kathy Medlicott and Team – Housekeeping, Holiday Inn, Ellesmere Port
  • Highly Commended: Chester Cathedral Events Team
• Manager of the Year, sponsored by Chester Business Club:
  • Winner: Scott Rankin, The Forge
  • Highly Commended: Adele Thomas, Chester Market Manager
• Judges’ Choice Award:
  • Winner: Mary Parry and The Chester Fields Team
• Chester Hospitality Association Chairman’s Award:
  • Winner: Jim Dorrington, Artezzan Chester

Rupert Worden, Group Catering Director at Chester Racecourse, said:

“The Chester Hospitality People Awards shine a spotlight on the incredible individuals driving Chester’s vibrant hospitality scene. This year’s awards have highlighted the immense talent and passion of our winners and nominees, whose invaluable contributions continue to shape our city’s exceptional landscape. Chester Race Company is proud to support these awards celebrating those who contribute to the outstanding customer service that defines our city.”

Stephen Ramsden, Director of awards sponsor, Saffron Vanilla, said:

“As a leading hospitality staff agency, we’re thrilled to be able to be a part of the Chester Hospitality Association People Awards 2024. It was a fantastic night, congratulations to all involved in bringing together such an epic event.

“We managed to raise lots of money for the charity but most importantly we have been able to help recognise the great hospitality workers in our industry. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners you deserve all the recognition.”

“We are delighted to honour the remarkable achievements of Chester’s hospitality professionals at this year’s awards,” said Steven Hesketh, Chair of Chester Hospitality Association. “After the success of our first awards last year, we’re absolutely thrilled to once again celebrate the vast hospitality talent and amazing venues we have in this city. A huge congratulations to all our nominees and winners!”

The awards were sponsored by Saffron Vanilla, Chester Race Company, Horseradish, Avrenim Protect, The Hospitality Hero, Chester BID, The Guide Liverpool, CanDo Payments & Elavon, Excello Law, We Love Good Times and Chester Business Club.

The businesses who supported the awards include Cool Breeze Events, Nineteen Agency, RW Photography, CSP AV, Vivid Floral Designs, Matthew Clark, Think Wine, Champagne Lanson, Urban Tangerine, HN Nuttalls, Bicks, Ribble Farm, My Fish and The Mersey Boys. The awards also raised funds for Hospitality Action and Share Aid Chester.

The Chester Hospitality People Awards 2024 would like to express gratitude to all sponsors, partners, and attendees for their invaluable support in making this event a resounding success.

Together, we celebrate the spirit of hospitality and camaraderie that defines Liverpool’s dynamic industry.

For more info on The Chester Hospitality People Awards click here.

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