Stars of the Hospitality Industry descended on London's Grosvenor Hotel last night to see who would champion in some of the incredible categories such as; AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year, AA Sustainable Award, AA Spa Hotel of the Year and, brand new for 2025, the AA Rising Star Award. In total there were 18 categories to battle it out within. 

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Taking home one of the evening’s most-coveted accolades, Gareth Ward of Ynyshir was named AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year 2025, an award voted for exclusively by his peers.

Known for his bold, boundary-pushing approach to modern dining, Ward has transformed Ynyshir into one of the UK’s most exciting culinary destinations, combining Japanese influences with the finest Welsh produce.

Ward said: “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 the 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 all have mutual respect for each other.”

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The AA Outstanding Contribution award was handed to Michel Roux Jr and Alain Roux for their decades of commitment and dedication to the industry, and mentorship of countless leading lights of the sector over the years.

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The AA Lifetime Achievement honoured James Thomson OBE, one of Scotland’s best-known restaurateurs and hoteliers.

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The Rising Star Award, newly introduced this year, recognises individuals in hospitality who demonstrate exceptional promise and potential in their field.

Nataliia Maiseionok, sommelier at Fischer’s Baslow Hall and winner of the AA Rising Star Award, relocated from Ukraine in 2022, arriving to the UK with limited English but extensive hospitality experience.

She began her career as a waitress at Fischer’s Baslow Hall, working her way up to sommelier through self-funded education.

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The Little Chartroom (Edinburgh), Gorse (Cardiff), Skof (Manchester) and Joséphine (London) were named AA Restaurants of the Year.

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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.

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Renowned establishment The Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland won the AA Sustainable Award.

All of 2025’s restaurant award winners and new Rosette holders shall feature in the AA Restaurant Guide 2026.

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The guide showcases the very best restaurants across the UK and is the food lover’s definitive guide to enjoying the finest cuisine the country has to offer.

 

This years winners of the AA Hospitality Awards are;

 

Chefs’ Chef of the Year

• Gareth Ward of Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms, Eglwys Fach, Wales

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Lifetime Achievement Award 

• James Thomson OBE of Prestonfield, Edinburgh, Scotland

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Outstanding Contribution Award 

• Alain Roux and Michel Roux Jr

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Restaurants of the Year 

• Skof, Manchester, England

• Joséphine, London, England

• Gorse, Cardiff, Wales

• The Little Chartroom, Edinburgh, Scotland

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Hotels of the Year 

• England – The Cavendish Hotel, Derbyshire

• London – 1 Hotel Mayfair, London

• Wales – St Brides Spa Hotel, Pembrokeshire

• Scotland – 100 Princes Street, Edinburgh

• Northern Ireland – The Old Inn, County Down

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Group of the Year 

• Daniel Thwaites (hotels, inns and spas)

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Small Hotel Group of the Year 

• Brend Collection

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Wine Award 

• England and Overall – Sketch Lecture Room & Library, London

• Wales – Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms, Eglwys Fach

• Scotland – Timberyard, Edinburgh

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Rising Star of the Year

• Nataliia Maiseionok – Fischer’s Baslow Hall, Derbyshire

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Housekeeper of the Year 

• Amit Pal – Prestonfield, Edinburgh

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Sustainable Award 

• The Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland

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Inn of the Year

• The George Inn, Somerset

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B&B of the Year

• The 25 Boutique B&B, Devon

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Restaurant with Rooms of the Year

• Restaurant Interlude, West Sussex

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Spa Hotel of the Year 

• Hoar Cross Hall, Staffordshire

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Restaurant Team Award

• The Goring, London

College Restaurant of the Year  

@34 Restaurant – Exeter College

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There was also a large handful of eateries gaining new rosettes, which are awarded for cookery at the next level. 

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New 5 Rosettes. Awarded where culinary skills are deemed to be breathtaking and on par with the best in the world. 

• Forest Side, Grasmere

• Row on 5, London

New 4 Rosettes. Awarded to the top restaurants of the UK, where their cooking demands national recognition. 

• 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

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New 3 Rosettes. Awarded to outstanding restaurants that showcase the incredible time and dedication to understanding the ingredients and how they are used. 

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• 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

 

Red Stars are equally a high achievement as they are awarded for their levels of quality, and outstanding hospitality service throughout. 

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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