Jason Atherton voted Chef's Chef at AA Hospitality Awards

24-Sep-2019 - Last updated on 27-Apr-2021 at 08:02 GMT

Related tags Chefs

Jason Atherton has been named Chef’s Chef at the 2019 AA Hospitality Awards.

The restaurateur took the title, which is voted for by his industry peers, at a ceremony at Grosvenor House, London last night (24 September).

Atherton launched his first solo restaurant Pollen Street Social in 2011 and now runs 16 sites worldwide under The Social Company group.

This year he opened his first theatre bar at London’s Victoria Palace Theatre, and launched The Betterment restaurant in the Biltmore hotel in his old stomping ground of Grosvenor Square.

“For me to be voted by my peers it’s just incredible,” says Atherton. “I was not expecting it, I’m absolutely thrilled to bits.”

Hotelier Robin Sheppard won the Lifetime Achievement Award. Since 2000 he has opened over 200 properties under Bespoke Hotels, which is the UK’s largest independent hotel group, and is the Government’s Hospitality Sector Champion for Disabled People.

A total of 23 businesses and individuals were honoured at the event, which celebrates restaurants, pubs and hotels across the UK.

The winners of the 2019 AA Hospitality Awards are as follows:

Chefs’ Chef

Jason Atherton

Restaurant of the Year

England – Fordwich Arms, Canterbury
London – Cornerstone by Chef Tom Brown, London, E9
Wales – Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias, Colwyn Bay
Scotland – Sugar Boat, Helensburgh

Pub of the Year

England – Three Daggers, Edington
Wales – Glynne Arms, Hawarden
Scotland – Meikleour Arms Public House, Perth

Lifetime Achievement Award

Robin Sheppard, Chairman, Bespoke Hotels

Wine Award

Overall Winner – Hampton Manor, Solihull
Regional Awards:
- England – Hampton Manor, Solihull
- Wales – Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel, Dolgellau
- Scotland – Castle Terrace Restaurant, Edinburgh

Food Service Award