Acorn Awards

Headline sponsor

Supporting partners

Celebrating hospitality's rising stars

Welcome to The Caterer's Acorn Awards, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026!

The Acorn Awards, run in association with our headline sponsor CH&Co, recognise 30 of the brightest prospects in the hospitality industry under the age of 30.

The awards, known as The Caterer’s 30 under 30, recognise people working in any sector of hospitality. Everybody is welcome to enter – you can nominate yourself or ask a colleague to nominate you and tell us about your achievements.

Past winners represent every sector of the hospitality industry and include the likes of Adam Handling, chef and founder of the Frog, pâtissier Sarah Frankland, Lisa Goodwin-Allen, executive chef of Northcote, and Nick Jones, the founder of Soho House.

Who can enter the Acorn Awards?

Winners can have any job title – past Acorns have included spa managers, social media managers, baristas, nutritionists, mixologists, data managers and housekeepers. They can also work in any part of the sector, from hotels to restaurants, cocktail bars, contract caterers, pub groups and fish and chip bars. What they all have in common is the ability to show ambition, leadership and innovative thinking in their everyday roles.

There are just three criteria for entry:

You must work in the hospitality industry
You must be under the age of 30 on 8 June 2026
You must be available for the winners’ weekend in on 7-8 June 2026.

Enter now

Why enter the Acorn Awards?

A MEMORABLE WINNERS' WEEKEND

Past winners talk fondly of their winners weekend at one of the UK’s top hotels. With fun activities and networking followed by a formal lunch and prize ceremony with their nominators, it’s always a weekend to remember.

A SPRINGBOARD TO CAREER SUCCESS

The prestigious award is widely recognised throughout the industry, and adding it to a CV has proven to super-charge careers. In fact, many Acorns have gone on to win a coveted Catey award.

MEMBERSHIP TO A VERY EXCLUSIVE CLUB

Once an Acorn, always an Acorn. Winners become part of an exclusive group of individuals in the hospitality industry.

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION

Acorn Award winners will receive validation on their achievements from industry experts who are passionate about recognising young talent.

Luke Harbor, group beverage director, the Pig hotels

"While I’m truly honoured to receive an Acorn, this recognition wouldn’t have been possible without working in an environment surrounded by talented people who constantly nudge each other to grow, improve and refine their craft. The Acorn Awards weekend was also a brilliant opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the incredible range of roles within our industry and how each one is fundamental to the success of a hospitality business."

Alice Norris, sales office manager, De Vere Latimer Estate

"The Acorn Award epitomises what it means to be a young leader in the hospitality industry. I am honoured to become a peer of this group and to continue my journey within hospitality."

Alexander Horswill, assistant professor, Edge Hotel School, University of Essex

"Winning an Acorn Award feels like an Oscar-winning moment in my career so far. It is incredibly rewarding to be recognised for the hard work, long hours and energy I have put into teaching and mentoring. What makes it even more special is being surrounded by so many driven and inspiring individuals, people who are just as passionate about hospitality as I am."

Charlotte Karadag, rooms division manager, De Vere Tortworth Court

"After winning a Catey in 2024, I feel incredibly grateful to win an Acorn Award. It represents not just my personal achievement, but most importantly my amazing team. I can’t wait to help shape and support the future of our incredible industry!"

New openings in January 2026: Restaurants, hotels and bars