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Five reasons to nominate a rising star for an Acorn Award
Nominating someone for an Acorn Award can give them access to an exclusive club of like-minded people who are passionate about hospitality
Ask past winners of an Acorn Award what it means to them and the responses are telling: “uplifting”, “game-changer” and, in one case, “Oscar-winning”. Such praise reflects the impact winning the award can have on someone’s confidence, credibility and career direction.
The Acorn Awards, run in association with headline sponsor CH&Co, are an annual event that celebrate the sector’s best 30 under 30, recognising anyone working front or back of house in a hospitality role.
There is still time to nominate a rising star from your team for this year’s celebration. Everybody is welcome to enter – you can nominate yourself or ask a peer or manager to nominate you – and the top 30 nominees will receive their trophy on a winners’ weekend at the Swinton Estate in North Yorkshire on 7-8 June 2026.
Winners can have any job title and work in any part of the hospitality sector, but what all past winners have in common is the ability to show ambition, leadership and innovative thinking in their everyday roles.
If you’re thinking about entering yourself or nominating a colleague, here’s why it’s worth doing today.
Recognition that matters
All 30 Acorn award winners are chosen by an esteemed panel of judges, furthering that validation of their achievements from industry experts. Past winners speak of the pride that their passion for their jobs has been recognised by the wider industry, with 2025 Acorn winner Alexander Horswill saying that receiving his Acorn felt “like an Oscar-winning moment”. He added: “It is incredibly rewarding to be recognised for the hard work, long hours and energy I have put into teaching and mentoring.”
A network for life
An Acorn Award is a badge of honour that will open doors throughout a long career. Many Acorns speak of the networking opportunities presented to them, not only at the winners’ weekend, but well after the celebrations have ended.
Abroza Yasmin, who won her Acorn while food and beverage manager at Stamford Bridge Hotel London, said: “Since winning an Acorn I have had the honour to be invited to various networking events to help build my network, share industry knowledge, learn and listen to our future in hospitality.”
Many winners also proudly showcase their Acorn on LinkedIn, helping to share their professional reputation and credibility.
Find your tribe
“To any manager considering nominating a team member: do it. The Acorn Awards offer far more than just a trophy; they provide a platform for young professionals to find their tribe,” says 2025 Acorn Tom Howkins, principal power platform developer at caterer CH&Co.
Howkins says that the winners’ weekend was a defining career experience, enabling him and others to find their “tribe” by being surrounded by like-minded, driven peers from across the industry.
Similarly, Abbie Bates, who won her 2025 award while in the role of restaurant general manager of Cameron House on Loch Lomond, added: “Friendships for life are truly made at that weekend.”
Through winning an award, Acorns are not just joining a cohort but creating a lifelong peer network.
Reflection and personal growth
Applying or winning forces people to pause, reflect and take stock of their achievements. This reflection helps clarify future goals and next career steps.
Hannah Lewis, central venue and events sales manager at Company of Cooks, shared that winning gave her time to reflect on her achievements to date and “focus on what steps I need to take to reach my next goals”.
Pay it forward
Nominating someone is a powerful signal that you believe in their potential and development and are willing to invest in their future. For leaders and business owners, putting forward a talented young person from your team demonstrates a clear commitment to their growth and their value as an employee.
As Bates said: “I’d absolutely encourage anyone who’s thinking about entering or nominating someone to please go for it – you never know where it may lead.”
Know somebody who would make a brilliant Acorn?
There’s still time to make your nomination, but entries are closing soon. Entries are free. Just head to the website and tell us about your rising star’s achievements and they could be on the way to the winners’ weekend on 7-8 June.
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