Hotel Cateys 2017: Hotel Restaurant Manager of the Year winner, Luigi Cagnin, the Ritz London

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Luigi Cagnin is restaurant manager of the Michelin-starred Ritz restaurant at the Ritz London. He manages a team of 45 in the restaurant, which operates seven days a week, 365 days a year, with daily average covers of 120 for breakfast, 90 for lunch, 40 for pre-theatre supper and 110 for dinner.

Since he became manager in 2013, Cagnin has ensured that the restaurant appeals to new guests while maintaining its attraction to longstanding customers. He has worked closely with the sales and marketing team to introduce the Ritz dining voucher (where guests can purchase a meal as a gift), which has resulted in 11,000 additional covers, £650,000 in additional sales and a 28% increase in repeat customers, equating to 41.5% of total covers.

Last year, the Ritz restaurant won its first Michelin star, reflecting the high and consistent standards of service and cuisine of which executive chef John Williams is responsible.

The restaurant also won the AA Hospitality Awards' Food Service Award in 2016, it was placed in the Waitrose Good Food Guide 2017 Top 50 and in The Sunday Times UK Top 100 Restaurants.

Cagnin himself won the Master of Culinary Arts in 2013 and the Annual Award of Excellence at the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts in 2006.

He's come a long way from starting in the industry as a commis chef, and he understands the impact his training had on launching his career. Therefore, Cagnin places an emphasis on education and in recent years the Ritz has achieved the most award winners in the country at the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Annual Awards of Excellence.

Cagnin holds a two-hour training session every Sunday on topics such as product knowledge and new gueridon training. Cagnin has created an induction pack to welcome new starters to the team and to provide details on shift patterns, promotions and menus, including photos and descriptions of all the dishes.

And not only does Cagnin give to his staff, he gives back to the industry in the form of volunteering.

Judges felt that Cagnin's fantastic achievements over the past 12 months deserved to be recognised with a Hotel Catey award.

What the judges said
"Luigi has had the most amazing year and has achieved so much, whether it is revenue growth, brilliant staff training and development, awards or repeat business. He truly deserves this accolade, not least because he has also found time to give back to the industry."
Stephan Moss

"It's fantastic to see such a list of achievements from someone in such a longstanding position. He has come from the ranks of commis to the top and is a wonderful role model."
Sarah Holden

Shortlisted
Luigi Cagnin The Ritz London
William Jones The Strathearn, Gleneagles, Auchterarder, Perthshire
Jaime McCormack Simon Radley at the Chester Grosvenor, Chester
Ronald Rosario Outlaw's at the Capital, London

Past winners
2016 Rebecca Galland The Vineyard, Stockcross, Berkshire
2015 Sarah Holden The Pig near Bath
2014 Davide Durante The Bingham, Richmond
2013 Andrew Sicklin Galvin at Windows, London
2012 Michele Caggianese Jumeirah Carlton Tower London
2011 Mark Bevan The Chester Grosvenor, Chester
2010 Diana Gailiunaite Docklands Bar and Grill
2009 Marc Whitley The River Restaurant, the Lowry Hotel, Salford
2008 Loris Lucchini The Chesterfield Mayfair
2007 Nicolas Roulier Seaham Hall Serenity Spa