Matsunaga, whose pub in Sedburgh was a finalist in the Great British Pub Awards 2025 Best Pub for Food category recently, and scooped the title at the fourth BIH Spotlight Awards during a ceremony at Quaglino’s London on Monday 13 October.
Meanwhile, the Bar/Pub of the Year award was won by Deano Moncrieffe of Hacha Bar to join Matsunaga’s Black Bull achievement, whose site is also in the Top 50 Gastropubs list.
BIH was founded by Lorraine Copes in 2020 and is a not-for-profit organisation in a bid to race equity within hospitality, food and drink. It also delivers skills development programmes and diversity, equity and inclusion services.
Outstanding talent
As in previous years, the judging panel featured an extensive list of leading voices, which recognised outstanding talent from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds in the hospitality, food and drink sectors.
Copes said: “These awards are the beating heart of our mission to celebrate and uplift hospitality talent across the UK.
“This year has shown just how powerful collaboration can be – from partners and sponsors to our wider community, all coming together to champion creativity, resilience and innovation.
“We’re proud to shine a light on those making an impact today while inspiring the next generation to shape an inclusive and thriving future for our industry.”
The Morning Advertiser opinion writer Ayesha Kalaji won in last year’s BIH Spotlight Awards, to see the honours list, click here.
Category winners
Individual awards:
- Chef of the Year - Nina Matsunaga - The Black Bull Inn, Sedbergh
- Rising Star - Eron Mibo - Tales and Tails UK
- Writer of the Year – Angela Zaher - food writer
- Wine Professional of the Year - Leona De Pasquale - Camellia and Vine
- Beverage Innovator of the Year - Sherwin Acebuche - Tarsier Southeast Asian Spirit
- Head Office Impact - Gina Knight - Flat Iron Steak
- Industry Icon of the Year - Tevin Tobun - Founder of ROUTD and GV Group
Cuisine awards:
- African Food - Khadim Mane - Little Baobab
- Caribbean Food - Nikki Whyte - Patois
- East and Southeast Asian Food - Kaneda Pen - Mamapen
- South Asian Food - Kanthi Thamma - The Spice Circuit
- Middle Eastern Food - Jad Youssef - Lebnani Restaurant
Business awards:
- Bar/Pub of the Year - Deano Moncrieffe - Hacha Bar
- Brand of the Year - Hot ‘N’ Juicy Shrimp LDN
People’s choice:
- People’s Choice Person of the Year - Emanuele Mensah - The Connaught Bar
- People’s Choice Restaurant of the Year - Sham Mahabir – Limin Southbank
