There’s plenty to discuss in the last week or so, including Summer fundraising by Hospitality Action, the 2025 Catey’s shortlist announcements and some big news for some big name Head Chefs!
The 2025 shortlist was recently announced for this year’s Cateys, being held in July at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London.
What promises to be as glamorous an affair as ever, sees some huge names shortlisted across categories including Independent Restaurateur of the Year, Newcomer Award, Independent Hotel of the Year and the Chef Award.
The Independent Restaurateur award sees the likes of the Pony Group’s Josh and Holly Eggleton up against Kirk and Keeley Haworth of Plates, Stuart Ralston’s Edinburgh based group and Richard Gladwin of Local & Wild.
Meanwhile Manchester’s Skof will be vying for the Newcomer crown alongside London’s Sune, Sonnet in Alnwick and Pignut in York.
The Chef Award, which always feels like the really big one, has a shortlist featuring the likes of Nieves Barragán Mohacho of Sabor, Mark Birchall – who recently achieved a third Michelin Star at Moor Hall, Adam Byatt of Trinity, Spencer Metzger of Row on 5 and Tom Sellers of Restaurant Story.
For the full shortlist click here.
A few pieces of big news this week; firstly, from Jersey as after 9 years, Callum Graham announced he is to pass on the Head Chef baton at Bohemia in June; making tantalising reference to future announcements.
Graham has achieved Jersey’s only Michelin Star and maintained 4AA Rosettes since taking the helm in 2020, and will be replaced by Tom Earnshaw, who joined Graham’s team as a Sous Chef in 2023, with Michelin pedigree in tow – gaining experience under Mark Birchall at Moor Hall and Peter Howarth at The Samling.
In the north of England, there was fantastic news from Northcote in Langho as, following the purchase of the hotel and restaurant, Lisa Goodwin-Allen is set to return as Chef-Patron Director.
The decision to step away just over one month ago, must have been tough after more than 20 years at Northcote.
So, when it was announced that the property had been sold to couple Alf and Clare Ellis, regulars at Northcote who often attended the annual ‘Obsession’ festival, you have to assume their first call was to Goodwin-Allen, whose name is of course synonymous with the place.
I think it’s fair to say it wouldn’t seem right to have anyone else steering the culinary ship, so this is certainly welcome news.
Hospitality Action
You may have seen our recent plug for a couple of upcoming events by Hospitality Action taking place in June.
On Sunday 1st June, Beaufort Polo Club, in Westonbirt Tetbury, will host the South West Polo Day, a day of sport and exceptional food.
An all-star chef lineup for HA’s South West Polo Day
There will be a Taittinger champagne and canapé reception, followed by a polo demonstration, a full, thrilling match, and a four course lunch put together by some huge culinary names.
The chefs featured include Claire Clarke, MBE, who worked as Head Pastry Chef under Thomas Keller at the world-famous, 3 Michelin Star, French Laundry. There is also Chris Cleghorn, Executive Head Chef at Bath’s only 1 Michelin Star restaurant The Olive Tree as well as Daniel Galmiche, a renowned chef with a long career spanning multiple Michelin Star kitchens.
Hywel Jones, who is Executive Head Chef of Lucknam Park – home to 1 Michelin Starred Restaurant Hywel Jones – heads over from Wiltshire alongside Ricki Weston, Executive Head Chef of Whatley Manor, home to 1 Michelin Star fine dining restaurant The Dining Room.
Last but not least, is Jamie McCallum, whose career has taken him to the southern hemisphere at the 5 Star Qualia Resort on Hamilton Island, before working under Gary Rhodes at 1 Michelin Star Rhodes 24. He is now Head Chef at the beautiful Painswick Hotel in Stroud, Gloucestershire.
If you click here, you can find out more information, become an event sponsor and purchase tickets.
Later in the month, on 23rd June, Hospitality Action are taking us to Hampshire, where beautiful and historic Lainston House will be hosting the Summer Cycle Challenge 2025.
There will be four routes to choose from depending on your cycling prowess (I’d be there myself if I could manage over 2 miles!)
- The short ride is 25 miles and is perfect for those who fancy a leisurely cycle.
- There are two mid-routes to choose from which are 43 and 69 miles).
- And for seasoned cyclists, a gruelling 103 miles route is available.
As is standard for Hospitality Action cycling events, there will of course be amazing feeding stations available for participants; with details to be released at a later date.
For more information, to register as a participant or to sponsor a participant follow the link here.
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