The finalists for the highly anticipated 9th Midlands Food, Drink & Hospitality Awards 2026 have officially been revealed, celebrating the exceptional individuals, venues and businesses that continue to shape and strengthen one of the UK’s most vibrant hospitality regions.
Taking place on 22nd June 2026 in Birmingham, this year’s awards will once again bring together the very best of the sector for an unforgettable evening of recognition, celebration and connection.
Over the past nine years, the Midlands Food, Drink & Hospitality Awards has become one of the region’s most respected and important hospitality celebrations – shining a spotlight on the talent, resilience, creativity and hard work that powers the industry across the Midlands.
From independent restaurants, bars and coffee shops to hotels, chefs, street food operators and rising stars, the awards continue to champion the businesses and people who help make the Midlands one of the UK’s leading hospitality destinations.
This year’s official themed hashtag, #MadeOfHospitality, reflects the passion, dedication and spirit that exists throughout the sector. It represents the people behind the scenes, the teams on the front line, and the establishments that continue to deliver incredible experiences despite ongoing industry challenges.
With an incredible 223 finalists across 32 categories, the 2026 awards promises to be one of the biggest celebrations to date. These awards are about inclusivity and accessibility.
Organisers commented:
“For nine years, these awards have been about more than just trophies – they are about recognising the people and businesses who give so much to the hospitality sector and to the Midlands region as a whole. Hospitality is built on passion, resilience, creativity and community, and this year’s finalists truly represent everything that makes our industry special. We look forward to celebrating with everyone on 22nd June 2026.”
9TH MIDLANDS FOOD, DRINK & HOSPITALITY AWARDS 2026 FINALISTS
Afternoon Tea Establishment of the Year
- Bazar
- Claymore Lounge
- Gluttons for Nourishment
- Lace Market Hotel
- Qavali
- The Sidings Tearoom
- Three Church Road
- Winstanley House
Back of House Employee of the Year
- Corey Skinner – The Ivy
- Katie O’Hanlon – Regina’s Bar & Restaurant
- Reece Purewal – The Indian Brewery Co.
- Sara Tunnicliff – Medicine Bakery
Bar/Restaurant Manager of the Year
- Charlotte Hickman – Dirty Martini
- Gurveer Lally – Soho Tavern Hockley
- Haig Loveitt – The Good Intent
- Kirsten Winslow – The Cocktail Club
- Liyana Bano – Alberts Schloss
- Matt Lake – The Ivy
- Milena Malinowska – Plates and Shakers
- Mohammed Awais – Lal Qela
- Pete Forward – Medicine Bakery
- Rume Manoharan – Trillium Restaurant
- Shobhit Chaudhary – Sabai Sabai
Boutique Hotel of the Year
- Baloci
- Colwick Hall Hotel
- Coombe Abbey
- Mallories
- Peak Edge Hotel
- The High Field Townhouse
Brewery/Distillery of the Year
- Birmingham Brewing Company
- Dhillons Brewery
- Indian Brewery
- West Midlands Distillery
Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year
- Baked In Brick
- Bigmouths Kitchen
- Fourwards
- Jerk and Sizzle
- Lahore Karahi
- Leaven Pizza
- Libertine Burger
- Plates and Shakers
- Sabai Sabai Solihull
- Streetly Balti
- Trentina
- Yakinori Solihull
Chef of the Year
- Burhan Ahmed – Dine With Burhan
- Chef Suree Coates – Suree’s Kitchen
- Dilanka – Mayan
- Georgios Kotsias – Plates and Shakers
- Graham Biggs – Courtyard Cafe Ironbridge
- Greg Sheppard – Samo Bistro
- Jomon Kuriakose – The Tiffin Box Coventry
- Lee Desnages – Baked In Brick
- Matt Nicholls – Maneki Ramen Birmingham
- Michael Edgar – Regina’s Bar and Restaurant
- Rob Palmer – Trillium Restaurant
- Sudha Saha – Spice Fusion Restaurant
Cocktail Bar of the Year
- Coco Tang
- Desire Cocktail Bar
- Dirty Martini
- F1 Arcade Birmingham
- Fox & Chance Cocktail Bar
- Passing Fancies
- Plates and Shakers
- Watson’s Cocktail Bar
Desi Bar & Grill of the Year
- Hen & Chickens
- Peg & Grill
- Sky Blue Tavern
- Soho Tavern – Hampton in Arden
- The Firs
- The Vine
Dessert Parlour of the Year
- Dia’s Cakes
- Little Dessert Shop – Lozells
- Skullduggery Dessert Illusions
- Firkins Bakery
East Asian Restaurant of the Year
- Hemisphere WB
- KIBOU
- Sabai Sabai
- Thai Orchid
Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year
- Baloci
- Chapter Restaurant
- Earlsdon Supper Club
- Mallories
- Murrays Restaurant
- Satori
Food/Drink Festival of the Year
- Alcester Food Festival
- Colmore Food Festival
- Shrewsbury Food Festival
- The Solihull Food & Drink Festival
Front of House Employee of the Year
- Danni Bird – Sky Bar and Restaurant
- Ellis Clarke – Trillium Restaurant
- Eva Churchill – The Grand Hotel Birmingham
- Ilaria Tumminelli – Medicine Bakery
- Joseph Mascarenhas – Covered Wagon
- Philip Lee-Mabey – Drayton Manor Hotel
- Victoria Anthony – Dirty Martini
- Willow Allen-Wheldall
Gastro Pub of the Year
- 1000 Trades on the Park
- The Griffin Inn
- The High Field
- The Malt at Landywood
- The New Inn St Owen’s Cross
- The Plough Normanton On The Wolds
- The Red Lion Restaurant
- The Tap & Run
General Manager of the Year
- Ash Shahsavary – Dirty Martini
- Benjamin James Warnock – Alberts Schloss
- Callum Sharman – Flight Club Birmingham
- Chris Richards – Mitchells & Butlers
- Erfanur Rahman – Clayton Hotel
- Gareth Vaughan – TOCA Social
- Gurveer Lally – Soho Tavern
- Harriet Giles – Dishoom
- Jordan Steward – Trillium Restaurant
- Lauren McCormick – Mitchells & Butlers
- Liam Hughes – F1 Arcade Birmingham
- Lucy Hills – Lea Marston Hotel
- Raul Dobos – Herberts Yard
- Steve Locklin – Simpsons
Hotel Bar of the Year
- 1900 Restaurant and Bar – Edgbaston Park Hotel
- Alvar Bar – Clayton Hotel
- Baloci
- Bar 76 – Lea Marston
- Madeline Bar – The Grand Hotel
- The Brabazon Bar – The Belfry
Hotel of the Year
- Aloft Birmingham Eastside
- Clayton Hotel
- Lea Marston Hotel
- Peak Edge Hotel
Independent Coffee Shop of the Year
- Baristro Coffee Bar & Bistro
- Bora Coffee & Co
- Cake & Culture
- Coffee & Crepes
- Folklore Coffee and Bagels
- Fruit and Ice Beverages
- Green Olive Newark
- Medicine Bakery
- The Bakehouse
- The Courtyard Cafe
Italian Restaurant of the Year
- Ciaro Italian
- Cucina Rustica
- Earlsdon Supper Club
- Leaven Pizza
- Luigiano’s Pizzeria
- Vieni
People’s Choice Award
- Cylla
- Lumberjaxe Food Company
- Mayan
- Soho Tavern – Hockley
- Tamu
- Tiger Bites Pig
- Tutto Apposto
Quick Service Restaurant of the Year
- Chaiiwala
- Indico
- Jaqks
- Libertine Burger
- Perios
- Pizza Freakz
- Plan Burrito
- Pop Street
Rising Star of the Year
- Andrew Kay – Trillium Restaurant
- Aston Higton – Little Vics Deli
- Bobby Bendle – Simpsons
- Daisy Freeman – Dirty Martini
- Ellesse Holness – Alberts Schloss
- Gabriele Vilkyte – B&B Hotels
- Harriet Jay Lloyd – Drink Lomi Ltd
- Hayden Childs – Chef Hayden Childs
- Megan Croad – West Midlands Distillery
- Michael Walton – The Ivy
- Sara Minilascino – Baked In Brick/Bakehouse
- Sudha Saha – Spice Fusion
Shining Star of the Year
- Aairon Dalton – Little Chefs
- Carl Hickinbottom – Drayton Manor Resort & West Midlands Safari Park
- Conor Ringrose – Ringrose Butchers
- Emily Halstead – Hotel Du Vin Birmingham
- Laura Shwable Neima Ali – Baked In Brick
- Lilianna Morant Tomas – Dishoom
- Michelle Lewis
- Sara Madajewska – B&B Hotels
- Shona Whitefoot – Lea Marston Hotel
- Stephanie Parker – Skullduggery Illusion Desserts
South Asian Restaurant of the Year
- Anoki
- Dishoom
- Inji
- Shukur’s at the Queen’s Head Indian Restaurant
- Spice Fusion
- The Tiffin Box
Steak House of the Year
- Black Iron at Winstanley House
- Chez Mal by Malmaison
- Cocina Restaurant
- Pasture Birmingham
Street Food Operator of the Year
- Asha’s Events
- Koala Kitchen
- Libertine Burger
- Mukaase Foods
- ThatZiki
- Lola the Cafe Boat
- The Street Food Co.
Themed/Entertainment Venue of the Year
- Box Brindley Place
- Dirty Martini
- F1 Arcade Birmingham
- Roxy Lanes
Traditional Pub of the Year
- The Bell East Langton
- The Butlers Arms
- The Church Pub & Dining Room
- The Duke of York Lichfield
- The Hartley Arms
- The Lancaster Arms
Vegetarian or Vegan Restaurant of the Year
- BA-HA
- Barsana Restaurant
- Pizza by Vinnie
Venue of the Year
- Box Brindley Place
- Dirty Martini
- F1 Arcade Birmingham
- Manahatta
- Old Rectory House
- Regina’s Bar & Restaurant
- The Belfry Hotel & Resort
- The Bond Digbeth
- The Eastside Rooms
- The Hawthorns (WBA FC)
Congratulations to all finalists. We look forward to celebrating with you all on 22nd June 2026 as we come together once again to recognise the people and businesses truly #MadeOfHospitality.
