Cateys 2026: Lifetime Achievement Award – David Moore

The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award is a consummate restaurateur, whose vision and joie de vivre have created one of the capital’s most celebrated and enduring sites.

As well as building a temple of culinary excellence at Pied à Terre, which has held a Michelin star for longer than any restaurant still open in London, David Moore has also supported the careers of many celebrated chefs.

He is a true champion of the hospitality industry, campaigning on behalf of his peers and working tirelessly to ensure it provides welcoming and inclusive career pathways.

Fellow restaurateur Michel Roux said: “David’s impact on our industry has been immense. He has shaped the way we eat and view dining out in this country for decades. All of this has been under the radar, but for those who know, David is a true leader, an innovator and, most importantly, has been a mentor to so many.

“Consistency in our world is not easy. In fact, I’d say it’s probably the hardest single thing to achieve in a restaurant, and Pied à Terre can be held up as a shining example. Congratulations to David and his team.”

Our winner was destined for a life in hospitality. His mother ran a hotel in Ireland and from the age of nine a young Moore could be found helping in the bar and dining room.

From here he went to the Box Tree at Ilkley, West Yorkshire, and then to Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, where he spent six years honing the front of house skills that would become legendary.

These skills found their home on Charlotte Street in London’s Fitzrovia, where Moore opened Pied à Terre in 1991. 

Within a year the restaurant had gained a Michelin star, which it has held in every guide since. The intervening years have seen Moore mentor and nurture the careers of chefs that have included Richard Neat, Shane Osborn and Asimakis Chaniotis.

Pied à Terre was elevated to two Michelin stars between 1996 and 1999, as well as between 2003 and 2011.

While chefs have moved on to further their careers with Moore’s support, his presence has remained a constant at Pied à Terre, where he has welcomed guests during almost every service.

The restaurant, which this year celebrates its 35th anniversary, has faced many challenges, including a devastating fire in 2004 that forced its closure for 10 months. During this period Moore retained all staff on full pay, guaranteeing their livelihoods, while seeking out opportunities for them to develop their skills in other establishments.

It is not just those who have worked for Moore who have benefitted from his dedication. He has become a champion and spokesperson for hospitality, campaigning and speaking out in an effort to ensure it continues to provide prosperous careers for people into the future. He has also been a long-term supporter of many charities and LGBTQ+ causes, as well as a trustee of social enterprise Cockpit Arts and education equality charity Speakers for Schools.

Moore has been a true champion of the hospitality industry, quietly building a restaurant that has set new standards and progressed careers for more than three decades – an astonishing achievement.

The judges

The Caterer editorial team, with nominations from all the Cateys judging panels.