The Hospitality Awards UK returns for its third edition this November

Caterer.com: The Hospitality Awards UK is entering its 3rd edition, what inspired you and the UK Confederation to create this event in the first place?

Stefano: “From the very beginning, the idea was simple: celebrate the people behind one of the UK’s most vibrant industries. Hospitality is about passion, creativity, and resilience, and I felt it deserved a platform that truly recognised those qualities. Together with APCI UK, we wanted to create an event that not only awards excellence but also brings the community together, chefs, hoteliers, entrepreneurs, and institutions  to share ideas, inspire each other, and feel proud of what we’re building. Three editions later, it’s become a real moment of connection and celebration.”

Caterer.com: This year’s gala coincides with the Week of the Italian Cuisine in the World. Why is it important to highlight the Italian connection within the UK’s hospitality sector?

Stefano: “Italy and the UK have always shared a strong bond when it comes to hospitality and food. For me, this week is the perfect opportunity to highlight just how much Italian culture and gastronomy have contributed to the UK scene. It’s not only about showcasing great cuisine, but also about the values behind it – tradition, innovation, and quality. By celebrating the Italian connection, we’re also celebrating the way cultural exchange enriches the industry as a whole. It’s a bridge between two worlds that makes hospitality here in the UK even more special.”

Caterer.com: APCI UK plays a key role in promoting Italian culinary excellence, how do these awards contribute to that mission?

Francesca: “The Hospitality Awards are a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our mission at APCI UK: promoting the excellence of Italian cuisine and protecting the true Made in Italy. This stage gives well-deserved visibility to the work and passion of our chefs, who carry Italian gastronomic tradition with them every single day, here in the UK and around the world.

What makes it even more meaningful is our collaboration with the UK Confederation. It shows how much value can be created when cultures meet and work together. The gala celebrates talent, yes, but it also builds bridges between traditions, experiences, and visions. And that’s an important message for the next generation: excellence comes when we share knowledge, respect diversity, and work side by side. Made in Italy is not only a model of quality worldwide, it’s also an inspiration. And this event shows how Italian passion and British professionalism can create new opportunities and shape the hospitality leaders of tomorrow.”

Caterer.com: What are you personally most excited to see or experience at this year’s gala?

Francesca: “For me, the most exciting part will be seeing months of hard work finally come alive. Behind the scenes, the brigade preparing the menu are the real stars of the evening, even if they’re not always in the spotlight. They will be the ones bringing to the table the very best Italy has to offer to our guests and sponsors, highlighting our products, traditions, and creativity.

And what makes it even more special is the fact that this isn’t just the work of our UK section. Joining them are colleagues from delegations in Lazio, Calabria, Puglia, and Campania — all working side by side as one big team. That spirit of family, unity, professionalism, and international vision is exactly what our association is about.

What excites me most is seeing this unity expressed through food, a true showcase of how Italian passion and heritage, when shared with others, can create unforgettable moments and lasting connections.”

Caterer.com: The UK hospitality sector is incredibly diverse and competitive. How do you see these awards helping to strengthen the sense of community and collaboration across chefs, restaurateurs, and hoteliers?

Francesca : “These awards are not just about giving out prizes, they’re about bringing people together. In such a competitive industry, moments like this create a real sense of belonging. Chefs, restaurateurs, and hoteliers can step out of their own daily challenges and recognise that they’re part of a wider community. The Italian contribution makes it even more special, because our food culture has always been about sharing and coming together. That spirit of unity is exactly what helps the industry grow stronger.”

Stefano : “For me, the real strength of these awards lies in their ability to connect people who might otherwise never meet. The UK hospitality scene is incredibly rich and diverse, and bringing everyone into the same room – from chefs to hoteliers, from independent entrepreneurs to large institutions – helps build bridges and inspire new collaborations. It’s also a chance to celebrate the human side of the industry, which is often overlooked. Recognition, encouragement, and shared pride are what truly strengthen the sense of community.”

Caterer.com: Both the UK Confederation and APCI UK are committed to building bridges – culturally, professionally, and internationally. How does this event showcase the best of UK-Italian collaboration and inspire the next generation of hospitality leaders?

Francesca : “This gala really shows what can happen when two cultures work side by side. It’s not just about celebrating talent – it’s about creating connections that cross traditions and generations. For young professionals, it sends a clear message: collaboration and openness are the real keys to success. Made in Italy brings inspiration and authenticity, British hospitality brings professionalism and structure, and together they create something that is both exciting today and valuable for the future.”

Stefano : “The gala is living proof of how powerful international collaboration can be. UK and Italian professionals bring different strengths, but when combined, they create something unique and forward-looking. What excites me most is the message this sends to the younger generation: that hospitality is a career built on diversity, exchange, and openness. If future leaders embrace this mindset, they won’t just inherit the industry, they’ll transform it.”