Gareth Ward wins AA Chefs' Chef of the Year

The AA Hospitality Awards 2025 took place at JW Marriott Grosvenor House last night (22 September), with accolades presented across 18 categories to recognise the gold standard of excellence within hospitality. 

One of the evening's most sought-after accolades, the AA Chefs' Chef of the Year, went to Gareth Ward of Ynyshir in rural Wales, an award exclusively decided by his industry peers. Known for his bold, boundary-pushing approach to modern dining, Ward has transformed Ynyshir into an exciting culinary destination that combines Japanese influences with the finest Welsh produce. 

He says of his win: "It's super humbling – I'm blown away. My name has been up there a few times, but you don't ever think you're going to win it, but when you do, you have the most massive appreciation to all the people in our beautiful industry. It means more as an award that has been voted by all my peers as we're all in it together and we have a mutual respect for each other."

Other award winners

Welcoming more than 960 guests, the glitzy event, hosted by TV and radio personality Vernon Kay, celebrated the UK's most outstanding hotels, restaurants, spas, inns and B&Bs, as well as the people behind them. 

The Rising Star Award, newly introduced this year, recognises individuals in hospitality who demonstrate exceptional promise and potential in their field. It went to Nataliia Maiseionok, sommelier at Fischer's Baslow Hall, who relocated from Ukraine in 2022. She arrived with limited English but extensive hospitality experience, starting her career at Baslow Hall as a waitress before working her way up to sommelier through self-funded education. 

"Winning this award means that I have been on the right path and the effort, dedication and commitment I've invested in gaining knowledge in a field I'm truly passionate about has not been in vain," she says. "I genuinely feel at home in this profession, and while there is still so much more to learn, this only adds to the joy because for a true explorer, discovery is the greatest reward."

Other titles presented on the night include the AA Outstanding Contribution Award, which went to Michel Roux Jr and Alain Roux. The AA Lifetime Achievement Award honoured one of Scotland's best-known restaurateurs and hoteliers, James Thomson OBE, of Prestonfield House and The Witchery. 

The Little Chartroom (Edinburgh), Gorse (Cardiff), Skof (Manchester) and Joséphine (London) were named AA Restaurants of the Year, while the five-star Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland, bagged the AA Sustainable Award. The Goring, London, was presented with the Restaurant Team Award, while @34 Restaurant from Exeter College scooped College Restaurant of the Year.  

St Brides Spa Hotel (Pembrokeshire), 100 Princes Street (Edinburgh), The Old Inn (Bangor), The Cavendish Hotel (Baslow) and 1 Hotel Mayfair (London) were crowned AA Hotels of the Year, while Brend Collection was named Small Hotel Group of the Year. Amit Pal of Prestonfield, Edinburgh, was named Housekeeper of the Year, with The 25 Boutique B&B in Devon bagging B&B of the Year, and Restaurant Interlude in West Sussex claimed the Restaurant with Rooms of the Year title. 

Elsewhere on the night, AA Group of the Year went to Daniel Thwaites (hotels, inns and spas); The George Inn, Somerset, was named Inn of the Year; while Wine Awards went to Sketch Lecture Room & Library (England and Overall), Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms (Wales) and Timberyard (Scotland). 

Rosettes

New 5 Rosettes

• Forest Side, Grasmere
• Row on 5, London

New 4 Rosettes

• Cedar Tree Restaurant by Hrishikesh Desai, Cumbria
• Haar, Fife
• Restaurant Interlude, West Sussex
• Forge @ Middleton Estate, North Yorkshire
• Solstice by Kenny Atkinson, Newcastle Upon Tyne
• SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel, Cumbria

New 3 Rosettes

• The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman's Rest, Northumberland
• Skof, Manchester
• The Horn of Plenty, Devon
• The Greyhound, Buckinghamshire
• Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa, Daventry
• The Avenue at Lainston House, Winchester
• Sushi Kanesaka (45 Park Lane), London
• Melton's, North Yorkshire
• Gorse, Cardiff
• The Braywood, Berkshire
• The Homestead Kitchen, North Yorkshire
• The Three Chimneys, Colbost
• Gravetye Manor, West Hoathly

New 5 Red Stars

• Raffles London at The OWO, London
• The Beaumont Mayfair, London
• 100 Princes Street, Edinburgh

New 4 Red Stars

• The Elms, Worcestershire
• Down Hall Hotel & Spa, Hertfordshire
• The Swan at Lavenham Hotel & Spa, Lavenham
• Foxhills, Surrey

New 3 red Stars

• The Pig in The Cotswolds, Cotswolds

Simon Numphud, MD at AA Media, praised the UK's hospitality sector for its resilience and innovative spirit in 2025, saying: "This celebration highlights the passion, creativity and resilience that define UK hospitality. The teams have turned challenges into opportunities, inspiring us with their innovation and dedication. Congratulations to all the winners, nominees and new Rosette holders – your achievements deserve recognition today and set a shining example for the future of our industry."

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