The Emerging Bartender of the Year category was won by Sam Boevey, of London Cocktail Club. The young bartender has risen the ranks rapidly during his two years at LCC and is now responsible for training the group’s 80 bartenders.
Gorgie Radev claimed the title of Front of House Star for his hosting of Laki Kane, while Geovanni Marenco Rodríguez’s supreme organization and commitment at Sexy Fish in London led to him winning Back Bar Star of the Year sponsored by Grand Marnier.
Terroir Tapas collected a trophy for Bournemouth, winning the Sustainable Practices Award. The restaurant bar has an ethos focused on local produce, low-waste and a reduced carbon footprint, which runs throughout its operation. Its bar and tables are made from recycled plastic, waste water is recycled to flush toilets and cocktails and food share ingredients to minimise waste.
Tayēr + Elementary collected the award for Bar Food Menu of the Year, thanks to its collaboration with resident chefs TĀTĀ Eatery. With a focus on seasonal and sustainable produce the menu changes daily, according to availability from the fisherman, farmers and growers. Undoubtedly their most famous dish, is the Sando: Iberian Pork, Raspberry Jam + XO Shallot Sauce.
Owners of Tayēr + Elementary, Monica Berg and Alex Kratena also won the inaugural Bar Innovator(s) of the Year. Their debut bar broke new ground and the pair also launched Muyu liqueurs, continued work on their education platform P(our) and launched an online safe space, Backofhouse.info.
Restaurant Bar of the Year was awarded to Hawskmoor Spitafields. Famous for its steak, its downstairs cocktail bar is considered its equal. Hawksmoor’s Head of bars Liam Davy and cocktailian Nick Strangeway, created a new cocktail menu last year with twenty-six drinks divided into Highballs, Fizzes & Spritz, Cocktails & Dreams, The Hawksmoor Classics, Flyby Five and Temperates.
Cahoots – an underground tube station-themed bar in Covent Garden took the award of Social Media Presence of the Year. Through video and photo content the Inception Group bar has thriving social media channels and has managed to turn followers into customers.
Ending the night was the Lifetime Achievement award, which went to Tomas Estes. Estes, a multiple restaurant and bar owner, is an ambassador for agave spirits globally, opening the eyes of the world to the likes of tequila and mezcal. Based in Portland, US, he is a regular visitor to the UK, where he still co-owns Café Pacifco in London. Estes is also the founder of Ocho tequila.
