Two from pub sector celebrated in Chefs’ Chef Awards

09-Jun-2022 - Last updated on 09-Jun-2022 at 08:10 GMT

Shortlist reveal: Paul Ainsworth and Michael Wignall have two of those named as finalists in this year's Chefs' Chef Award

Pub chefs Michael Wignall, the Angel at Hetton, north Yorkshire and Paul Ainsworth of the Mariners, Rock, and other Cornish venues, feature in this year’s AA Chefs’ Chef Award shortlist.

The winners will be announced at the AA Hospitality Awards 2022 on 26 September at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, with previous takers of the award including Tom Kerridge, Raymond Blanc and Gordon Ramsay.

Sports host and broadcaster Gabby Logan, who will host the ceremony, said the awards were a key event for an industry “all about physical places and people”, and she was “delighted” to have an in-person ceremony after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

She added: “I am really looking forward to celebrating the very best of the UK’s hospitality establishments and dedicated people in the industry, in a night to remember!”

Wide scope

Those nominated for the Chefs’ Chef Award hail from across the UK, from Belfast to London to Padstow to Windermere. The chefs showcase a breadth of cuisines and styles ranging from “sophisticated takes on everyday Italian to assertive modern cooking using locally sourced ingredients, to finely crafted and creative contemporary French cuisine.”

Spanning 15 categories, the awards will name the best restaurants, hotels and spas across the UK and celebrate individuals will awards such as the Lifetime Achievement Award and the AA Housekeeper of the Year Award.

AA Media managing director Simon Numphud said the company was “delighted” to have Logan host the awards, and was sure she’d make them “even more special”.

He concluded: “We are looking forward to crowning the Chefs’ Chef 2022 this September, as well as recognising the hard work and passion of many excellent establishments and teams working in the hospitality industry across the UK.”