THE RESTAURANT AWARDS 2026

Taking place as part of the eighth annual Gala Dinner on Monday 16 November 2026 at The Savoy, London, the Awards recognise the individuals, teams and businesses whose talent, dedication and achievements continue to raise standards across the sector.

For 2026, the Awards introduce a bold new framework designed to recognise excellence across every corner of hospitality, bringing together four distinctive sectors: The Kitchen, The Floor, The Industry and The Honours.

THE FOUR PILLARS OF HOSPITALITY 

The 2026 Awards are organised into four sectors, each representing a fundamental part of the industry.

The Kitchen

Celebrating the culinary talent, creativity and expertise driving excellence in the kitchen.

The Floor

Recognising the outstanding people and teams delivering exceptional service and creating memorable guest experiences.

The Industry

Honouring the businesses, leaders and innovators making a meaningful impact on the wider hospitality sector.

The Honours

Celebrating exceptional achievement, lasting influence and individuals whose contributions have helped shape the industry.

Within each sector, a collection of prestigious awards will recognise the people, teams and organisations setting new standards and inspiring the next generation of hospitality talent.

HOW THE AWARDS ARE DECIDED

The Awards are supported by a committee of 20 leading restaurateurs, operators, hospitality professionals and industry partners, bringing together a wealth of experience and insight from across the sector.

Committee members nominate the individuals and businesses making the greatest impact across the award categories. These nominations are then reviewed by the Head Committee, resulting in the official Top 32 Shortlist for 2026.

The final stage of the process is undertaken by an independent judging panel, which selects the winners based on their achievements, leadership, innovation and contribution to UK hospitality. This multi-stage process is designed to ensure that the Awards recognise genuine excellence and celebrate those making a meaningful difference to the industry.ution to UK hospitality. This multi-stage process is designed to ensure that the Awards recognise genuine excellence and celebrate those making a meaningful difference to the industry.