The Caterer unveils three new awards for Hotel Cateys 2026

The Caterer has introduced three new awards for this year’s Hotel Cateys, held in partnership with Bidfood, to recognise the innovation, talent and operational excellence driving the hotel sector.

The 2026 awards will feature Housekeeping Team of the Year, Procurement Professional of the Year and Salesperson of the Year for the first time.

The new Housekeeping Team of the Year category, sponsored by Out of Eden, has been launched to recognise the vital contribution housekeeping teams make to the guest experience and complements the existing individual Housekeeper of the Year award. Open to housekeeping teams in both independent and group hotels, the award will celebrate those consistently delivering exceptional standards of cleanliness, presentation and guest satisfaction, while demonstrating outstanding teamwork, efficiency and attention to detail.

Meanwhile, Procurement Professional of the Year will honour an individual with purchasing responsibility within a hotel business. Open to professionals overseeing the acquisition of goods and services, the award will recognise excellence in supplier management, cost control and operational support.

The new Salesperson of the Year category will recognise an outstanding sales professional who has demonstrated exceptional success in generating new business, building long-term client relationships and driving revenue growth for their hotel or portfolio.

Explaining the introduction of the new awards, James Stagg, editor of The Caterer, said: "As ever, we’re extremely excited to be able to recognise the finest individuals and teams in the hotel sector in November. With these three new awards we’re able to recognise excellence across an even broader spectrum of disciplines.

"Our judges have regularly suggested that their should be individual sales and procurement awards to acknowledge the advancement of these departments within hotels, while every hotelier knows the value of their housekeeping teams. We’re delighted to be celebrating these voctations with the industry at this year’s Hotel Cateys.”

Enter the Hotel Cateys 2026 now

Taking place on 23 November at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London, the Hotel Cateys, in partnership with Bidfood, celebrate the individuals, teams and businesses shaping the UK hotel industry. The awards recognise those who consistently go above and beyond to deliver exceptional guest experiences and drive standards across the sector.

To find out more about the new categories and how to enter, visit the Hotel Cateys website. Nominations are now open, and we want to hear about the individuals, teams and businesses making an outstanding contribution to the UK hotel sector. The deadline for entries is 5pm on 12 August, so don’t delay.