The Orchid Group was announced Employer of the Year (Large), in the category for companies with more than 250 employees, while the Moleface Pub Company picked up Employer of the Year (SME) joint with the Bonnington (Cavendish Hotel).

Spirit Pub Company’s collaboration with Charnwood Training Group won Partnership of the Year and 17-year-old commis chef Connor Black, who works at the Hand and Flowers pub in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, was awarded Advanced Apprentice of the Year, winning a week’s work experience at the Ritz.

Young Hall of Fame

Furthermore, 27 young people were inducted into the Guild’s Young Hall of Fame 2013, including Charlotte Bonser, who works front of house at the Flaming Grill pub, the Bowman in Nottingham.

The awards were presented by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Jr, who was also the keynote speaker at the event, and Sophie Roberts-Brown, operations director of the Hospitality Guild, at a ceremony at the Tower of London.

‘Hospitality leaders of tomorrow’

Roux praised the role of apprenticeships in the industry and recounted his memories from when he was an apprentice at 16-years-old.

“Apprenticeships are very close to my heart and the Roux family,” he said.

“I am very pleased to see so many talented young people here today. As a former apprentice myself, I know how important this training is for producing the hospitality leaders of tomorrow.

“An apprenticeship gives you memories and an understanding of what our business is. And it’s more than a career, it’s more than a craft – it’s life.”

Inspirational

Hospitality Guild chair Simon Vincent said more than 60,000 apprentices have reached their certification in the last 18 months, with completion rates increasing by 10% over that period.

“You can see that we are starting to make a real impression on the youth of today and we are showing how hospitality can help with some for the broader economic challenges that we have in relation to employment in this country,” he said.

“These awards today salute the hard work and commitment of young people in our sector and I want to congratulate all our shortlisted nominees and Young Hall of Fame inductees.

“You are an inspiration to your peers, you are marvellous asset to our hospitality industry and you should be incredibly proud of your achievements as we are of all of you.”

The winners of the awards in full are:

Conan Brooks, chef de partie apprentice, Charnwood Training Group – Intermediate Apprentice of the Year

Connor Black, commis chef, the Hand and Flowers, Marlow, Buckinghamshire – Advanced Apprentice of the Year

Allister Bishop, executive sous chef, Harrods – Mentor of the Year

The Orchid Group – Employer of the Year (Large)

The Moleface Pub Company and the Bonnington (Cavendish Hotel) – Employer of the Year (SME)

Spirit Pub Company and Charnwood Training Group – Partnership of the Year