The inaugural Be Inclusive Hospitality Spotlight Awards will recognise the achievements of talented individuals across 13 categories including African Food, Caribbean Food and Chef of the Year
A MAJOR new awards ceremony celebrating Black and minority ethnic talent in the hospitality industry is set to take place in London next month. The judging panel for the BIH Spotlight Awards will be co-chaired by TV presenter and celebrity chef Andi Oliver and Des Gunewardena, CEO and Chairman of luxury restaurant group, D&D London.Joining them on the judging panel will be food and diversity consultant Mallika Basu; Masterchef winner and restauranteur Shelina Permalloo; author and chef, Mike Reid; and global rum ambassador, Ian Burrell.
Copes continued: “I always review the winner’s lists from most of the industry awards, and generally speaking they are not representative of the ethnically diverse talent within the sector. A report commissioned on our behalf back 2020 before the pandemic confirmed that 17.83% of the sector identify as Black or ethnic minority. The talent is there, but for the majority they are not visible, So the aim of the awards is to shine a spotlight on this exceptional talent.