Enter the Cateys 2025
Select an award and create an account to complete your nomination. If you need help creating an account, please click here.
You can enter multiple awards, nominate yourself and there is no fee to enter.
Nominations close on Wednesday 12 March 2025 at 5pm.
If you need help getting started, you can find out what makes a nomination outstanding here. For any other questions about the nomination process or the awards please contact Sophie Waldron.
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Monday 7 July 2025, you can book your ticket here.
Accessibility Award
Best Employer Award
Best Marketing Campaign Award
Best Use of Innovative Technology Award
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Chef Award
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Education and Training Award
Foodservice Caterer Award
Health and Nutrition Award
Hotel of the Year – Independent
The Hotel of the Year - Independent will be a business of three units or fewer under a brand or owner. It will be a successful business of any size, category or market level; show excellence in its chosen market; offer an example to which others can aspire; present a healthy balance sheet and be able to demonstrate particular achievements in the past year.
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Hotel of the Year – Group
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International Outstanding Achievement Award
This award recognises an individual who has had a profound impact on the global hospitality industry, whether that is in the field of cheffing, restaurants, hotels or foodservice. They may be a British national or from overseas. There are no formal criteria, and the award is given at the discretion of The Caterer team.
Lifetime Achievement Award
There are no formal criteria for this award, although the winner is likely to have enjoyed success over a prolonged period. All of the past recipients have worked in hospitality for more than 30 years and, in addition to their core business, have contributed to the industry in a considerable way.
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Manager of the Year Award
The winning candidate will have demonstrated proven success in managing and developing a team in the workplace; established a good financial track record and proved their worth over and above the job description, particularly in the past year. Nominations are invited from all sectors of the industry and from all managerial levels.
Menu of the Year Award
The Menu of the Year shortlist is derived from Menuwatch articles which appear on www.thecaterer.com.
If you are interested in having your menu reviewed, please contact Caroline Baldwin.
Newcomer Award
The Newcomer Award is open to all people in the industry who have taken a risk and seized an opportunity and made a name for themselves. The winner will own a business that has been operating for less than three years on 5 July 2025 and have established a reputation for quality and service. This will be their first owner-operator hospitality-based business. Candidates can be from any sector of the industry.
Pub and Bar Award
The Pub and Bar Award is open to people who run, own or manage a pub or pub chain with a food element. The judges are looking for sound business planning and a good grasp of financial matters. Flair and innovation are also important. The winner must commit to staff training, customer service and show involvement in the community.
Public Sector Caterer Award
The Public Sector Caterer Award will go to an individual or organisation who has made an outstanding contribution to the cost sector. The winner will possess the ability to combine innovation with sound financial performance, as well as being able to demonstrate clear achievements. The individual or organisation will have contributed to the cost sector in the areas of healthcare, education or institutional catering.
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Restaurateur of the Year – Group
This award is open to individuals who have made their mark in running system-led companies operating branded and themed food and drink outlets. They will operate three or more outlets. The judges will be looking for a solid and/or outstanding performance in the past financial year. Financial information must be provided in order to demonstrate business acumen.
2024 winner: Nisha Katona, Mowgli Street Food
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Restaurateur of the Year – Independent
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to combine flair and innovation with good business acumen. They must be setting standards to which others can aspire. They may own and operate several establishments but they will not be themed or branded. The judges will be looking for a solid and/or outstanding performance in the past financial year. Financial information must be provided in order to demonstrate good business judgement.
Special Award
This award recognises an individual that has had a significant impact on any area of hospitality. They can be of any age and backgroups, but must have made a meaningful contribution beyond their own business. They may be a British national or from overseas. There are no formal criteria, which is given by discretion by The Caterer team.
2024 winner: Chris Mitchell and Robbie Laidlaw
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Sustainable Business Award
Entries considered for the Sustainable Business Award will be any business with an annual turnover of more than £20m.
The Sustainable Business Award will recognise the hospitality business that has taken the most innovative steps to minimise its impact on the environment.
The award is open to any hotel, restaurant, pub, leisure or foodservice business or other hospitality operation.
2024 winner: Exclusive Collection
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Sustainable Business Award (SME)
Entries considered for the Sustainable Business Award (SME) will be any business with an annual turnover of less than £20m.
The Sustainable Business Award (SME) will recognise the hospitality business that has taken the most innovative steps to minimise its impact on the environment.
The award is open to any hotel, restaurant, pub, leisure or foodservice business or other hospitality operation.
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Wine and Spirit Ambassador Award
This award honours an individual who has made a major contribution to the knowledge, understanding and promotion of wine, Champagne and spirits in the UK hospitality industry. The recipient will display a proven track record for profiting from the sale of alcoholic beverages and training staff in effective wine service; and will demonstrate a wider commitment to their industry, through their involvement in the fields of education or charity. Our winner may work in any sector of the hospitality industry.