Shortlists announced for the 21st annual Peach 20/20 Hero Awards
The shortlists have been unveiled for the initial 12 categories in this year’s Peach 20/20 Hero Awards, the prestigious celebration of excellence, innovation and leadership in UK hospitality.
Voted for by the Peach 20/20 ‘Academy’ of 150 invited industry leaders, the awards shine a spotlight on the very best operators, brands and individuals who are trading successfully in a highly competitive and challenging market.
This year’s finalists represent the most dynamic, forward-thinking businesses in the sector – the true “best in class”.
Scroll down for all the shortlisted businesses and brands...
YOUR 2025 SHORTLISTS
Newcomer
Bubala | Chuku’s | Dave’s Hot Chicken | Makers of Hospitality | Oma/Agora | Tigermilk
Breakout Brand
Breadstall | El Pastor | Knoops | Nell’s Pizza | Padella | Pasta Evangelists
Evolutionary Brand/Business
Beautiful Pubs | Bella Italia | Bill’s | Craft Union (Stonegate) | Prezzo | Vagabond
Best New Opening
Ambassador's Clubhouse (London) | Blacklock (Manchester) | Brother Marcus (Canary Wharf) | Farmers Dog (Burford) | Rita’s Beer Hall (Leeds) | Rockfish (Salcombe)
Alberts Schloss | Arc Inspiration | Drake & Morgan | Inception/Mr Fogg's | Incipio/Pergola | Red Engine (Flight Club/Electric Shuffle)
Restaurant Brand/Business
Big Mamma | Blacklock | Dishoom | Flat Iron | Hickory’s | JKS Restaurants | Lina Stores | Pizza Pilgrims
Coffee/QSR/Bakery Business
Blank Street | Gail’s | Knoops | Ole & Steen | Popeyes | WatchHouse
MUMBO (Multi-Unit Multi-Brand Operator)
Azzurri Group | Incipio | JKS Restaurants | Loungers | Permanently Unique | White Rabbit
International Award
Caffè Nero | F1 Arcade | Hawksmoor | Kerb | Red Engine/State of Play (Flight Club/Shuffle) | WatchHouse
Industry Leader of the Year
Brian Trollip (Dishoom) | Caroline Ottoy (WatchHouse) | Eadaoin McDonagh (White Rabbit Projects/Lina Stores) | Ed Devenport (Incipio) | Gavin Smith (Pizza Pilgrims) | Jyo Sethi (JKS Restaurants) | Laura Harper-Hinton (Caravan) | Nick Collins (Loungers)
Investor of the Year
Fortress | L Catterton | McWin | TDR | Trispan | White Rabbit
The shortlists for four additional categories will be announced shortly.
All the winners will be revealed at the legendary Peach 20/20 gala dinner on 13 November at Convene Sancroft, London.
“Hospitality has shown remarkable resilience, creativity and leadership in recent years, and the Peach 20/20 Hero Awards are about celebrating those who continue to inspire the industry. This year’s nominees embody the spirit of innovation and excellence that drives our sector forward,” said Peter Martin, Co-Founder, Peach 20/20
Congratulations to all the shortlisted businesses and brands.
The Awards dinner takes place directly after the Peach 20/20 Leaders Summit on 13 November 2025 at Convene Sancroft, London. Attendance at the Awards dinner is by invitation only. Please check your email to make sure you have your ticket or email karen.smith@peach2020.com to apply for a place.
Peach 20/20 Hero & Icon Awards Headline Partners
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The Peach Icon Hall of Fame includes...
Jane O’Riordan (Caravan, Red Engine & Turtle Bay)
Will Beckett (Hawksmoor)
Huw Gott (Hawksmoor)
Roy Ellis (Mission Mars)
Neil Macleod (Mission Mars)
Tim Bacon (Living Ventures)
John Barnes (La Tasca, Novus)
Andy Bassadone (Strada, Côte, Bill’s)
Peter Boizot (Pizza Express)
Rupert & Jo Clevely (Geronimo, Hippo)
Tony Hughes (Whitbread, Mitchells & Butlers)
Gerry Ford (Caffè Nero)
John Hutson (JD Wetherspoon)
Alan Jackson (Whitbread, The Restaurant Group)
Karen Jones (Cafe Rouge, Spirit, Food & Fuel, Hawksmoor)
Phillip Kaye (ASK, Zizzi)
Jeremy King (Corbin & King)
Simon Kossoff (Carluccio’s)
Tim Martin (JD Wetherspoon)
Julian Metcalfe (Pret a Manger)
James Horler (La Tasca, 360 Restaurants)
Chris Corbin (Corbin & King)
Thomasina Miers (Wahaca)
Ian Neill (Wagamama, Las Iguanas)
Bob Ivell (Whitbread, Scottish & Newcastle, Mitchells & Butlers)
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