Acorn Awards 2011 winners revealed

Thirty of the brightest prospects in the hospitality industry under the age of 30 have today picked up their Acorn Awards at an exclusive event at five-star Coworth Park hotel in Berkshire.

This year's awards are the 25th since the Acorns were originally conceived in 1987.

Caterer and Hotelkeeper editor Mark Lewis said: "We had an overwhelming response to this year's awards, which mark a quarter of a century for the Acorns. Choosing between the nominees was not an easy task, but the winners display a level of flair and quality that makes them the envy of their profession.

"Each and every one of the winners can feel extremely proud to join the ranks of Acorn Award holders, which include the likes of Marco Pierre White, Marcus Wareing and Michael Caines."

Tracey Rogers, managing director of sponsor Unilever Food Solutions, said: "The celebrations were bigger than ever and I was privileged to share in the success of this year's remarkable winners. The Acorn Awards is a fantastic opportunity to reward the achievements of young individuals whose passion and enthusiasm are an inspiration to us all.

"Our congratulations go to this year's winners and we wish them every success in their future careers - no doubt these are names we'll see again."

The winners were:

Ben Seager
Front Office Manager
The Chesterfield Mayfair

Neil Braude
Director of Revenue
The Cavendish London

Sam Moody
Head Chef
The Bath Priory Hotel

Mark Bevan
Assistant Food and Beverage Manager
The Chester Grosvenor and Spa

Matthew Drinkwater
Deputy General Manager
Hand Picked Hotels - Audleys Wood

Phil Fanning
Head Chef at Paris House
10in8 Fine Dining Company

Josh Light
Learning & Development Manager
CH&Co

Megan McIntyre
PR & Marketing Manager
Renaissance London Chancery Court Hotel

Laura Murphy
Operations Manager
Abode Exeter

Olly Rouse
Head Chef John Campbell Restaurant
Coworth Park

Robin Vermeire
Assistant Executive Housekeeper
The London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square

Mike Auld
General Manager
Hotel du Vin Tunbridge Wells

Marianne Brown
Operations Manager
Thistle Hotels

Paul Foster
Head Chef
Agellus Hotels - Tuddenham Mill

Vidur Kapur
Hotel Manager
Guoman Hotels - Charing Cross

Grant Lang
Founder and Managing Director
Mozzo Coffee

David Morison
HR Officer
London Hilton on Park Lane

Adam Peirson
Sous Chef
Claridge's

Scott Catling
Sales Manager
London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale

Lauren Long
General Manager
Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants

George Blogg
Sous Chef
Le Champignon Sauvage

Sarah Gibbs
General Manager
The Swan Hotel & Spa

Laura Prentice
Director of Event Management
The London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square

Neil Morris
Group Executive Chef
Ego Restaurants

Adam Smith
Premier Sous Chef
The Ritz Hotel

David Macdonald
General Manager
Hotel du Vin York

Jordan Marr
General Manager
Peach Pubs

Denis Broci
Bar Manager
Claridge's

Natalie Mainwaring
Business Development Manager
It's The Agency

Daniel Moon
Head Chef
Homewood Park Hotel

Acorn Awards enter 25th year >>

By Neil Gerrard

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