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The Caterer’s awards and events calendar for 2026
Mark these dates in your diaries to be involved in The Caterer’s prestigious awards and events programme for 2026
From celebrating standout talent at the Cateys to spotlighting rising stars through our 30 Under 30 Acorns, The Caterer champions excellence across hospitality all year round.
Alongside our awards, we deliver a programme of conferences, summits and networking events designed to explore the sector’s most pressing challenges, from legislation and employment to commercial and operational best practice, through a mix of in-person and digital formats.
Whether you’re raising a glass to this year’s winners or joining peers to share insight and ideas, our events are designed to help you stay connected, informed and ahead of the curve.
Register below to hear about the events we’ll be hosting in 2026 – we look forward to welcoming you.
The Caterer’s Awards
The Cateys ceremonies
Noted as the ‘Oscars’ of the hospitality industry, the Cateys, Foodservice Cateys and Hotel Cateys return for an unforgettable evening to honour and celebrate exceptional talent and pioneering businesses in all sectors of the industry. So, mark your calendar and dust off your best attire for the most glittering nights of the year.
7 July – the Cateys, JW Marriott Grosvenor House London – register for updates
9 October – Foodservice Cateys – register for updates
23 November – Hotel Cateys – register for updates
Best Places to Work in Hospitality
Entries are open for the Best Places to Work in Hospitality 2026, the awards that celebrate the top employers in the hospitality sector.
The awards, run in partnership with Korero and sponsored by Umbrella Training, celebrate the top 30 operators setting the standard in people engagement and workplace culture.
Those who make the top 30 also receive a free ticket to The Caterer’s 2026 People Summit in May, while the six highest-rated companies are shortlisted for the Best Employer Catey 2026.
Entries close on Wednesday 4 February, so enter Best Places to Work in Hospitality 2026 now.
The Supplier Awards
The Caterer’s Supplier Awards returns for 2026 and will celebrate the most creative and innovative food, drink, equipment and technology suppliers in the hospitality industry. These awards will recognise the all-important businesses which go above and beyond to support the hospitality industry. Join us for a three-course lunch and awards ceremony with plenty of time for networking and celebration.
16 April – the Supplier Awards, One Moorgate Place London – book your table
The Acorn Awards
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the Acorn Awards has been honouring the brightest up-and-coming talent in the hospitality industry. Run in association with our headline sponsor CH&Co, the awards recognise the flair and passion of 30 of the most talented individuals in hospitality.
Acorns are nominated by their peers for making an impression and inspiring others in their sector, and include the likes of Adam Handling, Sarah Frankland, Lisa Goodwin-Allen and Nick Jones.
The 30 winners are then invited to a winners’ weekend to celebrate their achievements. Don’t forget to nominate the brightest talent in your business for this prestigious award.
7-8 June – the Acorn Awards, Swinton Estate – register for updates
Hotelier of the Year
The esteemed Hotelier of the Year award recognises an individual who has displayed exceptional professionalism, passion and commitment to their role. The event is judged by a panel of previous winners of the award, and this year’s winner will be celebrated at the incumbent winner’s hotel, bringing together an elite group of hoteliers for a very special lunch and awards ceremony.
This year’s Hotelier of the Year, Franck Arnold, will host the presentation at his hotel, the Savoy, in London. To nominate an individual for Hotelier of the Year, register for more details via the Hotel Cateys website.
November – Hotelier of the Year, the Savoy, London
The Caterer’s Events
Conferences
The Caterer’s conference programme brings together leading industry voices to tackle the most pressing challenges facing operators in an increasingly uncertain environment. From labour legislation and people strategy to recruitment, retention and the technology driving more sustainable businesses, our 2026 programme is designed to deliver practical insight alongside valuable opportunities to connect with peers from across the sector.
14 May – People Summit – register for updates
June – Hospitality Tech Confex – register for updates
September – Sustainability Summit – register for updates
Breakfast Briefing Live
The Caterer’s Breakfast Briefing Live brings the analysis and insight from our daily email into a dynamic, early-morning, in-person setting.
Building on the strong response to last year’s launch event, the 2026 Breakfast Briefing Live series will once again convene senior HR professionals and hospitality leaders to examine the major policy, people and employment developments shaping the sector, creating space for informed discussion, practical insight and shared learning – register for updates
Inspiring Women Lunches
After the success of our inaugural sector-specific Inspiring Women events last year, we are expanding our networking lunches for inspiring women in the hotel, foodservice, and restaurant and bar sectors.
Spots are limited, but if you are interested in joining us, please email Sophie Lancaster.
27 February – Inspiring Women in Foodservice
13 March – Inspiring Women in Hotel
18 May – Inspiring Women in Restaurant & Bar
11 September – Inspiring Women in Foodservice
25 September/2 October – Inspiring Women in Hotel
19 October – Inspiring Women in Restaurant & Bar
Our free online webinars
The Caterer’s free online webinar programme will have you covered to ensure your business is doing all it can to be successful in 2026 and beyond.
28 January – AI for Guest Experience, sponsored by Lolly – register here
18 February – AI for Workplace Productivity, sponsored by Deputy – register here
If your business is interested in sponsoring any of our events and awards, or hosting a webinar, please email Cheryl Townsend or call on 020 7881 4822.
For any enquiries about any of the above events, please email Sophie Lancaster.
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