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‘An Oscar-winning moment’: Acorn winner hails hospitality as a career for life
2025 Acorn winner Alexander Horswill added that “connecting with people and making them smile is what I want to do for the rest of my life”
A 2025 Acorn Award winner has spoken of receiving his award as an “Oscar-winning moment in my career so far”.
Alexander Horswill, who won his Acorn Award last year while assistant professor at Edge Hotel School, University of Essex, said: “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.”
He added that the winners’ weekend felt very special as he was “surrounded by so many driven and inspiring individuals, people who are just as passionate about hospitality as I am”.
When receiving his award at the winners’ three-course lunch at Dakota Manchester, he shared that the sector “is full of possibility”, adding: “I may not know what is around the corner, but I do know that hospitality is a career for life. Whether it is a guest or a colleague, connecting with people and making them smile is what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
Acorn Awards 2026: 40 years of excellence
Organised by The Caterer, and in partnership with CH&Co, the prestigious awards are now in their 40th year - an extra-special milestone celebrating the brightest young talent shaping hospitality at an early stage in their careers.
Over the course of four decades, many people who have won an award have gone on to become big names in the industry, including the winner of 2024 Restaurateur of the Year – Independent Catey Adam Handling, and 2016 Manager of the Year Catey winner Chantelle Nicholson of Apricity. Other former Acorns also include the likes of Nick Jones, founder of Soho House, and chefs Jason Atherton and Lisa Goodwin-Allen.
Four of Horswill’s Acorn peers achieved the rare double of securing both a coveted Acorn Award and a Catey, showcasing the calibre of young talent that is emerging in the sector.
How to enter the Acorn Awards 2026
Visit the Acorn Awards website to nominate a colleague for the Acorn Awards.
If you’re under 30 and want to enter yourself, find a colleague or mentor to support your application as they’ll be invited to the awards lunch on Monday 8 June 2026 to celebrate your win.
There are only three criteria for nominees: they must work in the hospitality industry; be under the age of 30 on 8 June 2026; and be available for the winners’ weekend which will take place at Swinton Estate in North Yorkshire on Sunday 7 and Monday 8 June 2026.
The Caterer’s Acorn Awards’ supporting partners are Umbrella Training and Caterer.com.
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