The fifth incarnation of the awards recognises outstanding black and ethnic minority individuals and businesses making an impact across hospitality, food and drink in the UK.
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Among those hoping to win is The Morning Advertiser opinion writer Ayesha Kalaji in the Chef of the Year category, plus her gastropub the Queen of Cups in the Middle Eastern Food section.
In the Pub/Bar of the Year category, the finalists are House of MOBO, in Norwood, south London; Bar Lotus, Dalston, east London; The Regency Club, Edgeware, north-west London; and Tiki Bar Restaurant, Acton, west London.
Following a rigorous judging process, an independent panel of hospitality leaders selected finalists recognised for their accomplishments, leadership and innovation. This year’s judges included Shereen Ritchie, managing director of Kuvi Hospitality; Clement Ogbonnaya MBE, founder of the Village People Pub Company; and Laure Bornet, senior vice-president of International Growth at OpenTable.
This year’s shortlist includes 60 finalists across 15 award categories, representing seven regions of the UK and more than 10 global cuisines.
Selected 2026 finalists
Chef of the Year
Kareem Roberts – The Burleigh Arms
Chinelo Awa – Good Cake Day
Kanthi Thamma – The Spice Circuit/Tiger Eats
Ayesha Kalaji – Queen of Cups
Rising Star
N’jhell Wilson, general manager – Bleecker
Natalia Middleton, head of food Education – Food Behind Bars
Dijön Bascombe, chef & founder – Dijön Cafe, London
Jhané Gibson – chef
Wine Professional of the Year
Anoushica Matthews – MJ Wine Cellars & Sweet Spice
Shehnaz Hansraj – Presenter of A–Z of Wine with Shehnaz
Emmanuel Mireku – Manny Does Wine
Toni Osoba – Toni’s Wine Club
Beverage Professional of the Year
Eron Mibo – Tales & Tails
Marverine Cole – Accredited Beer Sommelier
Ruchira Neotia – Drinks Consultant
Marcy Ecoue – Marcy’s Mixes
African Food
Chishuru
Gwafu Vegan
Shwen Shwen
The Flygerians
Caribbean Food
2210 by NattyCanCook
Paradise Cove
Windrush Cuisine
Jam Delish
East and south-east Asian Food
Michael Wan’s Mandarin
Poon’s London
Namo
Liu Xiaomian
South Asian Food
Bindas Eatery
Darjeeling Express
Rinku Dutt
Third Culture Kat
Middle Eastern Food
Queen of Cups
Fattoush, Leicester
Mouna’s Kitchen
Samarkand Palav
Bar/Pub of the Year
House of MOBO
Bar Lotus
The Regency Club
Tiki Bar Restaurant
Alongside the judged categories, the public can once again decide the winners of two People’s Choice Awards:
People’s Choice Person of the Year
Nathaniel Mortley – 2210 by NattyCanCook
Chris Ilankovan – MOTHER Canteen
Sting Khumalo – The Biltmore Mayfair
Jocelyn Wong – Canopy by Hilton London City
People’s Choice Restaurant of the Year
Darjeeling Express
Chuku’s
Cavita Restaurant
Chishuru
Voting is now open and closes at 11.59pm on Friday 14 August with the awards taking place on Monday 12 October at Quaglino’s, London, bringing together more than 300 guests from across the hospitality industry for an evening celebrating the people and businesses helping to shape its future.
