Chester Hospitality crowns it’s winners in first awards of its kind! #Blog
Victoria Hayes
11th July 2023
The “hospitality superstars” of Chester gathered at Chester Racecourse this week to celebrate the inaugural Chester Hospitality Association People’s Awards recognising the incredible hard work of individuals in the hospitality industry.
In a glittering ceremony in The Pavilion on Thursday 6th July, award winners were crowned, toasted and the whole of Chester hospitality was celebrated by 270 attendees.
The theme of the evening was “not all heroes wear capes” and the evening began with a rousing speech from CHA Chairman, Steven Hesketh, who urged Chester to “be bold and to come together to become the number one city in the UK!”. 
The evening raised an incredible £6,500 for the charity Hospitality Action.
The organisers would like to thank the sponsors for their generosity and help in hitting this amazing figure. Steven Hesketh said, “Without the incredible support of both our in kind and cash sponsors the event could not have happened, and of course the amazing team at Chester Racecourse and the support of headline sponsor Staff 86 and delivery partner, Taste Cheshire. Thanks also to our judges for lending their time and support”.
Judges included, Chef Brian Mellor, Jack Mitchell, Emma Bellis Ferreira, Nicola Myers, Alison Duckworth, Richard Smith (Mr Wine Cheshire) and Chef Emma Shawcross.
Awards were sponsored by a host of local businesses, and the food and drink on the evening was supported by many including, Nuttalls Foodservice, Weetwood Brewery and Distillery, Veg & Petals, Ribble Farm Foods and My Fish Company.
The Winners in each category were as follows: –
RISING STAR (sponsored by Staff 86) – James Ellams, Fish and Chips @ Weston Grove
BARISTA OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Chester Bid) – Theo Ioaniddis, Bean & Cole
SALES AND REVENUE STAR OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Chester Racecourse) – Lorna Hobson, Chester Cathedral
UNSUNG HERO (sponsored by WLGT) – Laura Howley, Chester Zoo
BAR MIXOLOGIST OF THE YEAR (sponsored by City Framers) – Patryk Kapelinski, Carden Park
MANAGER OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Matthew Clarke) – Emilia Bartlett, Storyhouse
FRONT OF HOUSE STAR (sponsored by EPAY Merchant Services) – Sue Hesketh, Mercure Chester Abbots Well
HEART OF HOUSE STAR (sponsored by Chester Business Club) – Radek Moszan, The Chester Grosvenor
CHEF OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Horseradish) – Elliot Hill, The Chester Grosvenor
EXCELLENCE IN FOOD SERVICE (sponsored by The Lock Keeper) – Daniel Speak, Chez Jules
TOP HOSPITALITY TEAM (sponsored by The Guide Liverpool) – Artezzan Restaurant & Bar
Two special awards were presented on the night, the first, by the judges to Georgina Slawinski in recognition of the amazing work she has done to develop hospitality at Chester FC, the judges, said, “Georgina has come to the role with a problem-solving attitude, focusing on the building blocks to make her future plans happen for the business, despite overcoming many obstacles. Her perspective of collaboration as a city and not acting as an island is so encouraging.”
And Izzy Grey, owner of We Love Good Times was honoured with the Chairman’s Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to hospitality in Chester over the years. Izzy was surprised, delighted and emotional upon receiving the award, she said, “- it is a moment I will never forget, thank you – you have made me feel a million dollars.”