Welcome to The

Liverpool Hospitality People awards 2026
sponsored by Saffron Vanilla and Liverpool Accommodation BID, and hosted by Titanic Hotel.

The Liverpool Hospitality Association is delighted to announce the return of the Liverpool Hospitality People Awards for 2026, celebrating the outstanding individuals who power the city’s vibrant hospitality and visitor economy. Taking place in association with headline sponsors Liverpool Accommodation BID, Liverpool ONE and Saffron Vanilla, the awards recognise the talented people working across Liverpool’s hospitality sector — from hotels and restaurants to bars, attractions and visitor services. The event shines a spotlight on those who demonstrate exceptional passion, dedication and commitment within one of the region’s most dynamic industries. The 2026 awards will feature 16 categories, including Rising Star and Unsung Hero, celebrating both customer-facing staff and those working behind the scenes. In addition, the prestigious Judges’ and Chairman’s Awards — not open for public entry — will honour inspirational figures who have made a significant impact within the sector.

Awards Sponsors

A message from Our headline sponsors

“Saffron Vanilla is delighted to announce our fourth consecutive year supporting Liverpool Hospitality and the Liverpool Hospitality Awards 2026. Participating and sponsoring this prestigious event gives us immense pleasure, not just for the industry, but for the dedicated professionals who make it thrive. From chefs and front-of-house staff to bar workers, housekeepers, and office personnel, each one of you is the true unsung hero of this city. Saffron Vanilla, founded by local chef and entrepreneur Stephen Ramsden, has been proudly serving local and regional businesses with fully vetted professional chefs and hospitality workers since 2015. With over 100 local employees, we generate revenue for the local economy, create stability for the businesses we supply, and support local charities and events, including the Liverpool Hospitality Awards since 2023.
“Liverpool Accommodation BID is thrilled to be a joint headline sponsor of the Liverpool Hospitality People Awards 2026. Hospitality is at the heart of Liverpool’s identity and visitor economy, and these awards shine a light on the people and businesses who make our city such a welcoming and vibrant place. We are proud to champion the sector through the Accommodation BID and to celebrate the passion, talent and commitment that drives it forward.”
“Liverpool’s greatest strength has always been its people, whose warmth and generosity of spirit create an experience unlike anywhere else. These awards provide a vital platform to recognise those who go above and beyond to deliver outstanding service, helping our hospitality and retail sectors remain vibrant, resilient and future-focused.”
“As General Manager of the Titanic Hotel Liverpool, I am extremely proud that we are once again hosting and acting as a key sponsor of the Liverpool Hospitality Association People Awards. This will be the seventh time we’ve welcomed the event, and it continues to be an important fixture in our calendar. We look forward to welcoming Liverpool’s hospitality professionals back to the hotel and recognising the outstanding people who underpin the success of our industry within our city.”

Award Categories

Rising Star Award

Sponsored by MSP Global
This award recognises and celebrates young people (aged 16-24) working in hospitality and retail.  The judges will be looking for a young person who has made an impact on the business that they work for, shows ambition, and can demonstrate a commitment to developing their skills and career within the industry.

 

Unsung Hero Award

Sponsored by The Hospitality Hero 

Recognising an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the business, has gone above and beyond what is expected and should be recognised for their contribution to the business. This award is open to anyone in a hospitality or retail business.

Front of House Award
This award is open to customer facing all front of house staff outside senior management, for example food and beverage, front desk, concierge, sales & events. The judges will be looking for evidence of excellent customer service, a commitment to self-development, a team player with impeccable product knowledge and someone who is a real asset to the business that they work for.

 

Heart of House Award 

This award is open to back of house staff outside senior management, for example kitchen assistants, accounts, social media/web, cleaners and cellar/stock style roles. The judges will be  looking for evidence of excellence in team support, a commitment  to self-development, a team player with impeccable product knowledge and someone who is a real asset to the business that they work for. 

 

Excellence in Food Service Award

Sponsored by The Guide Liverpool 

This award is open to all customer facing food service staff, outside senior management. The judges will be looking for evidence of excellent customer service, a commitment to self-development, a team player who is also able to coach and mentor others, impeccable product knowledge and someone who is a real asset to the business that they work for. 

 

Excellence in Bar Service Award

Sponsored by The Wigan Beer Company

This award is open to all those customer facing bar staff, outside senior management.The judges will be looking for evidence of excellent customer service, a commitment to self-development, a team player who is also able to coach and mentor others, impeccable product knowledge and someone who is a real asset to the business that they work for.

 

 The Tracy Fearon Excellence in Retail Award

Sponsored by Liverpool ONE

This award is open to all customer facing individuals and recognises and celebrates the pivotal role that customer service plays in shaping a retailer’s reputation, success, and overall customer satisfaction. The winner of this award will stand out as true champion of retail excellence through their exceptional service. The winner will be dedicated to retail excellence and inspiration to others.

 

Barista of the Year Award 

This award is open to all those experts in all things coffee and service. From our array of high street brands to our quirky independents, we are looking for Liverpool’s finest Barista, showing their excellence hot beverage knowledge. The judges will be looking for evidence of product knowledge and excellent customer service, a commitment to self-development and who is also able to coach and mentor others.

 

Young Chef of the Year

This award is open to chefs aged 16 to 24. The judges will be looking for a young chef who has made an impact on the business that they work for, shows ambition, and can demonstrate a commitment to developing their skills and career within the industry. 

 

Chef of the Year

Sponsored by Sugar & Lime

Open to all chefs who can demonstrate the highest standards of delivery, artistic and organised and an excellent team player with a commitment to producing innovative food to the highest standards. 

 

Head Chef of the Year

Sponsored by Saffron Vanilla

The Head Chef of the year will be able to demonstrate the highest standards in their kitchen.  Management, Compliance, Product and Pizzaz is will be evident.They will be highly organised and an excellent team leader with a commitment to producing innovative food to the highest standards whilst mentoring and coaching their team.

 

Sales and Revenue Star of the Year

This award is open to all sales and revenue staff, outside senior management. The judges will be looking for evidence meeting and exceeding targets and KPI’s coupled with excellent customer service, a commitment to self-development.  A team player who is also able to coach and mentor others, impeccable product knowledge and someone who is a real asset to the business that they work for. 

 

Manager of the Year Award

Sponsored by Liverpool Accommodation BID 

This award is given to an individual who shows complete commitment to driving their business/department forward.  Complexities around growing management requirements, team development and interaction, focus on product and standards, delivery across all areas H&S, Compliance, Training, Development and business Performance must be easily demonstrated. 

 

Top Team Award

Sponsored by PIB Insurance Brokers

Recognising a team that is innovative and proactive and delivers results.  The team will be able to demonstrate impeccable product knowledge, show that the customer is at the heart of planning and decision making, and contribute to the financial success of the business. 

 

Judges’ Award

Presented by Liverpool Hospitality Association
This award is not open for entry. The winner will be chosen by the core judging panel from all of the entries received. 

 

Chairman’s Award

Presented by Liverpool Hospitality Association
This award is not open for entry. The winner will be chosen by Liverpool Hospitality from all of the entries received.