With just over four weeks until the AA Hospitality Awards, the finalists for four of the categories have just been announced by the AA Restaurant Guide 2016.

All the finalists will be on tenterhooks until the big night when the winners will be announced. The shortlists are for AA Food Service Award, AA Housekeeper of the Year Award, AA Eco Hotel of the Year and the AA Spirit Award.

AA Food Service Award

Now in its third year, 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.

The three finalists for 2015 are:

• Belmond Le Manoir aux Quats’ Saisons, Oxford

• Jesmonde Dene House, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

• Paul Ainsworth at No 6, Padstow

>>> Read more on the AA Awards here

AA Housekeeper of the Year Award (sponsored by Northmace)

This annual award, sponsored by Northmace Limited recognises outstanding commitment and performance, identifying a housekeeper who goes above and beyond the call of duty.

The three finalists for 2015 are:

• Ms Gitana Cibulskiene of The Arch London

• Ms Sarah Middlemass of The Old Course Hotel, St Andrews

• Ms Lesley Skelt of Coworth Park, Ascot

AA Eco Hotel of the Year

The AA Eco Hotel

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Awards acknowledges independent hotels which have demonstrated a clear commitment to sustainability. The AA judges have been looking for evidence of established policy and employee engagement. This includes employee training and changes made to operations, development of accountability and ownership of environmental targets as well as internal and external communication of environmental initiatives.

In addition the judges looked at reduction of consumption of utilities, carbon footprint, waste management and pollution, a recycling programme and the use of sustainable products and local suppliers.

The three finalists for AA Eco Hotel of the Year 2015 are:

• The Savoy, London

• Llangoed Hall, Brecon

• City Hotel, Londonderry

AA SPIRIT AWARD (sponsored by The Balvenie)

This award was introduced in 2014 to recognise the professional promotion, education and service of spirits in the hospitality industry.

The three finalists for 2015 are:

• Rockliffe Hall, Darlington

• The Churchill Bar and Terrace, London

• The Grand Hotel and Spa, York

The AA Hospitality Awards take place on 5 October at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London and will see 23 winners receive their awards as well as the announcement of the new three, four and five AA Restaurant Guide Rosettes and AA Red Star establishments.

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