Tom Kerridge named AA Chefs' Chef of the Year on night his TV series is launched
Tom Kerridge of the Hand and Flowers in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, was presented with the Chefs' Chef of the Year accolade at tonight's annual AA Hospitality Awards.
Commenting at the event, Kerridge told Caterer and Hotelkeeper that the award was a fantastic achievement for the whole team. "I'm so proud of them all, and it shows our teamwork and our desire to keep improving every day."
The Hand and Flowers, which Kerridge runs with his wife Beth and which became the first pub to receive two-Michelin-stars, was also promoted from three to four AA rosettes.
Held at the London Hilton on Park Lane, the awards ceremony also saw industry stalwart Harry Murray, chairman of Lucknam Park, near Bath, receive the AA Lifetime Achievement Award and the Waterside Inn in Bray Berkshire scoop the inaugural AA Food Service Award, presented for excellent service and hospitality, top technical skills, wide food and beverage knowledge and a commitment to staff training and development.
The celebratory dinner, attended by more than 900 leading members of the hospitality industry, was prepared by five AA rosette- chef Sat Bains, together with the brigade from the Hilton on Park Lane.
The 2013-14 AA Hospitality Award winners are:
AA Chefs' Chef of the Year Tom Kerridge
AA Lifetime Achievement Award Harry Murray
AA Hotel of the Year
England Gravetye Manor, East Grinstead
Wales Llangoed Hall, Llyswen
Scotland Cringletie House, Peebles
London Dukes, London
Northern Ireland The Merchant Hotel, Belfast
AA Restaurant of the Year
England The Artichoke, Amersham
Wales Ye Olde Bulls Head, Beaumaris
Scotland Ondine Restaurant, Edinburgh
London Medlar, London
AA Wine Award
Scotland and overall The Witchery By The Castle, Edinburgh
England Northcote, Llangho
Wales Park House, Cardiff
AA Pub of the Year
England Elveden Inn, Elveden
WalesThe Groes Inn, Conwy
Scotland The Sheep Heid Inn, Edinburgh
AA Small Hotel Group of the Year Red Carnation Hotels
AA Hotel Group of the Year Macdonald Hotels
AA Eco Hotel and Eco Hotel Group of the Year
Eco Hotel Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Great Milton
Eco Hotel Group Accor Hotels
AA Food Service Award The Waterside Inn, Bray
