Simon Rogan is the new Chef of the Year and four new restaurants including Casamia receive five rosettes in the AA Restaurant Guide 2017.
The announcement of the new ratings was made at the AA Restaurant Guide Hospitality Awards on September 26, held at Grovesnor House on Park Lane; alongside 24 other awards which recognised those in the industry.
This year Simon Rogan won the coveted AA Restaurant Guide Chef of the year and four restaurants; Casamia, Pollen Street Social, Restaurant Story and Hélène Darroze at The Connaught received the prestigious five rosettes.
Simon Rogan said: "It's amazing to be awarded this from this room of talent. It's an award I'll cherish for the rest of my life."
For the first time four restaurants were awarded five rosettes including Casamia and Peter Sanchez-Iglesias told The Staff Canteen: "This is a life time achievement, you start with one rosette and to reach five is the pinnacle - to get there is the dream.
"I came to the AA Awards with Jonray for so many years, he would have loved to be here now but he is here in spirit and he would be so proud. This is dedicated to him."
Pierre Koffman won the Lifetime Achievement award celebrating his 50th year in the industry.
Introduced in 1992, and awarded to hotels that are recognised as being outstanding examples in their particular market.
AA Hotel of the Year for England (sponsored by Temple Spa) – Northcote, Langho
AA Hotel of the Year for Wales – The Angel Hotel, Abergavenny
AA Hotel of the Year for Scotland (sponsored by ReviewPro)– Cromlix Hotel, Dunblane
AA Hotel of the Year for London (sponsored by PSL) – The Beaumont
AA Hotel of the Year for Northern Ireland – Manor House Country Hotel, Enniskillen
AA Restaurant of the Year
While the standard of cuisine is at the very heart of the selection criteria for these awards, innovation, ambience, and hospitality are all part of the equation that determines the eventual winners.
AA Restaurant of the Year for England – Lumière, Cheltenham
AA Restaurant of the Year for Wales – Restaurant James Sommerin, Penarth
AA Restaurant of the Year for Scotland – Inver Restaurant, Strachur
AA Restaurant of the Year for London (sponsored by Food & Travel Magazine) – Sosharu, London
AA Wine Award (sponsored by Matthew Clark)
Nominees are judged on the quality of their wine list and their ability to inspire customers to make wider and more adventurous choices.
AA Wine Award for England and Overall Winner – Sketch (Lecture Room and Library), London
AA Wine Award for Scotland – The Kitchin, Edinburgh
AA Wine Award for Wales – The Whitebrook, Whitebrook
AA Pub of the Year
Combining the provision of enjoyable food, a great pub atmosphere, and a warm welcome with a high standard of management
AA Pub of the Year for England (sponsored by Cobra)– The Boot, Repton
AA Pub of the Year for Wales – Penhelig Arms, Aberdyfi
AA Pub of the Year for Scotland – The Ship Inn, Elie
AA Hotel Group of the Year
A hugely prestigious award presented in recognition of the hotel group that has a proven track record of striving to ensure the very best levels of service, food and accommodation across the range of properties. Attention to detail is imperative and a committed and structured approach to future development is essential.
Winner – Thwaites Shire Hotels
AA Eco Hotel and Eco Hotel Group of the Year
These awards recognise a clear commitment to sustainability, demonstrated through good practice and policy to make a positive contribution to reducing impact on the environment
Winner AA Eco Hotel (sponsored by Belu) – Battlesteads Hotel, Hexham
Winner AA Eco Hotel Group (sponsored by Chargemaster) – AccorHotels
AA Food Service Award
The AA Food Service Award recognises establishments who not only deliver excellent standards of restaurant service and hospitality but also have technical service skills, food and beverage knowledge of the highest standard and a clear commitment to staff training and development.
Winner – The Ritz London
AA Housekeeper of the Year Award (sponsored by Aslotel)
The award recognises outstanding commitment and performance, identifying a Housekeeper who goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Winner – Nan McDowall, Crewe Hall, Crewe
AA College Restaurant Award (sponsored by People 1st)
The College Restaurant of the Year Award has been developed in conjunction with our partner, People 1st, the leading workforce development expert for the hospitality, tourism, travel, passenger-transport and retail industries. The AA College Rosette Scheme was designed to recognise the efforts of students, both front and back of house who are the future of our hospitality industry. Colleges within the AA College Rosette Scheme that have shown outstanding achievements in a realistic working environment have been put forward for the AA College Restaurant of the Year Award.
Winner – Foxholes Restaurant, Runshaw College
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