long-standing Wandsworth favorite has been named as London’s restaurant of the yr on the 2022 AA Hospitality Awards.
Chez Bruce, which opened in 1995, picked up the honour at a ceremony held tonight on the Grosvenor Home lodge on Park Lane. The night, which was hosted by Gabby Logan, marked the primary time the awards have been held in particular person since 2019.
Typically talked of as the last word upscale neighbourhood restaurant, Chez Bruce is run and owned by chef Bruce Poole — for whom it’s named — and his enterprise associate Nigel Platts-Martin. A French brasserie, Chez Bruce has held a Michelin star since 1999; head chef Matt Christmas has stored the star since he joined in 2000. Equally, it was named as “Londoners’ favorite restaurant” by restaurant information Harden’s in 2006, and held the title for greater than a decade. It’s extensively regarded for its glorious wine checklist.
Additional afield, Norfolk’s Socius was named as England’s restaurant of the yr, whereas Gem 42 and The Cellar picked up the equal award for Wales and Scotland respectively. Mark Birchall, chef-patron of Lancashire’s Moor Corridor, was named the cooks’ chef.
Different massive London winners embody John Williams of the Ritz, who picked up the Lifetime Achievement Award. Williams, who notably was the primary British chef to obtain a CMA from the French authorities for companies to French delicacies, mentioned he was “over the moon” to get the nod. Williams mentioned: “It’s really the best honour to have been acknowledged by the AA, the main authority within the hospitality business, thanks! I’m over the moon.
“I’ve been the Govt Chef at The Ritz since 2004 with my predominant goal to run the perfect lodge restaurant and supply the best hospitality in Nice Britain. My philosophy has at all times been to try for perfection, realizing you’ll by no means get there.”
Elsewhere, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught picked up the meals service award — which, because the title suggests, denotes notable customer support — with Darroze remarking: “It’s an honour to obtain this award. My staff are an essential a part of such achievement: government Chef Marco Zampese and normal supervisor Mirko Benzo, who’ve been working with me at The Connaught for over eight years. It’s a fantastic recognition for the entire staff.”
Metropolis spot Pan Pacific, in the meantime, was named as London’s finest lodge.
Whereas the AA didn’t bestow their highest restaurant honour — 5 rosettes — to anyplace new this yr, three London eating places picked up 4 rosettes: the Ledbury in Notting Hill, Ormer Mayfair and Jason Atherton’s Soho spot, Social Consuming Home.
New for this yr was the accessible award, recognising locations which have put explicit effort into making their properties as accessible as attainable. Rudding Park, a well-thought of lodge in North Yorkshire, was the inaugural winner. Its managing director Peter Banks mentioned of the win: “At Rudding Park we’re instinctively inclusive and we endeavour to keep up the dignity of each visitor. The one purpose for them to really feel particular is due to their go to to Rudding Park and the experiences we provide – to not be singled out because of having a incapacity.”
Northcote, a lodge and restaurant within the Ribble Valley hills, acquired the Excellent Contribution award in recognition of its gastronomic Obsession competition. Northcote’s head chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen, who additionally oversees the meals on the Stafford lodge in St James’s, mentioned of the win: “For 22 years Obsession has grown in stature to develop into one of many main international gastronomy occasions.
“Nonetheless, it’s extra than simply an occasion, it brings folks collectively within the business to ship excellent hospitality and associates are made for all times. Following the challenges we have now all been confronted with, Obsession22 proved hospitality was again and to boost over £70k for Hospitality Motion made it much more particular. Our because of everybody who has been concerned and we can’t wait to welcome cooks, their groups and our friends to the twenty third Obsession!”
A collection of winners is beneath:
Restaurant of the yr
- London – Chez Bruce, Wandsworth
- England – Socius, Norfolk
- Wales – Gem 42, Newport
- Scotland – The Cellar, Fife
Cooks’ chef
- Mark Birchall, chef-patron of Moor Corridor, Lancashire
Lifetime achievement award
- John Williams MBE, The Ritz
Meals service award
- Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
Resort of the yr
- London – Pan Pacific London
- England – Grantley Corridor, North Yorkshire
- Wales – Llanerch Winery, South Wales
- Scotland – The Balmoral, Edinburgh
- Northern Eire – The Rabbit Resort & Retreat, County Antrim
Restaurant with rooms
- England – The Angel at Hetton, North Yorkshire
- Wales – Crug Glâs Nation Home, Pembrokeshire
- Scotland – The Bonnie Badger, East Lothian
Accessible award
- Rudding Park, North Yorkshire
Sustainable award
- Swinton Property, North Yorkshire
Wine award
- England – The Winery, Berkshire
- Wales – The Grove, Pembrokeshire
- Scotland – UNALOME by Graeme Cheevers, Glasgow
Excellent contribution award
- Northcote: Obsession, Lancashire
The complete checklist of winners will be discovered on this web page.
