Chef Gareth Ward of Ynyshir and sommelier Nataliia Maiseionok of Fischer’s Baslow Hall were among the headline winners at the AA Hospitality Awards 2025 in London.
The event, held at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, brought together more than 960 guests from across the sector.
Awards were presented in 18 categories, including chefs, hotels, spas, inns and bed and breakfasts. Television presenter Vernon Kay hosted the ceremony.
Ward was named AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year, an accolade voted for by his peers. He has developed Ynyshir into a fine-dining restaurant known for its use of Welsh produce alongside Japanese influences.
Ward said: “It’s super humbling – I’m blown away. My name has been up there a few times, but you don’t ever think you’re going to win it, but when you do, you have the most massive appreciation to all the people in our beautiful industry. It means more as an award that has been voted by all my peers as we’re all in it together and we all have mutual respect for each other.”
The Rising Star Award was introduced this year to recognise early-career talent in hospitality. It was won by Maiseionok, who moved to the UK from Ukraine in 2022 and worked her way from waitress to sommelier through self-funded training.
Maiseionok said: “Winning this award means that I’ve been on the right path and the effort, dedication, and commitment I’ve invested in gaining knowledge in a field I’m truly passionate about has not been in vain. I feel genuinely at home in this profession, and while there is still so much more to learn, this only adds to the joy because for a true explorer, discovery is the greatest reward. I see this not as the final destination, but as a powerful step forward.”
Simon Numphud, managing director at AA Media, said: “This celebration highlights the passion, creativity and resilience that define UK hospitality. The teams have turned challenges into opportunities, inspiring us with their innovation and dedication.
“Congratulations to all winners, nominees and new Rosette holders – your achievements deserve recognition today and set a shining example for the future of our industry.”
The full list of winners are:
Chefs’ Chef of the Year
- Gareth Ward, Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms, Eglwys Fach
Lifetime Achievement Award
- James Thomson, Prestonfield, Edinburgh
Outstanding Contribution Award
- Alain Roux and Michel Roux Jr
Restaurants of the Year
- England – Skof, Manchester
- London – Joséphine, London
- Wales – Gorse, Cardiff
- Scotland – The Little Chartroom, Edinburgh
Hotels of the Year
- England – The Cavendish Hotel, Derbyshire
- London – 1 Hotel Mayfair, London
- Wales – St Brides Spa Hotel, Pembrokeshire
- Scotland – 100 Princes Street, Edinburgh
- Northern Ireland – The Old Inn, County Down
Group of the Year
- Daniel Thwaites (hotels, inns and spas)
Small Hotel Group of the Year
Wine Award
- England and Overall – Sketch Lecture Room & Library, London
- Wales – Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms, Eglwys Fach
Scotland – Timberyard, Edinburgh
Rising Star of the Year
- Nataliia Maiseionok, Fischer’s Baslow Hall, Derbyshire
Housekeeper of the Year
- Amit Pal, Prestonfield, Edinburgh
Sustainable Award
- The Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland
Inn of the Year
- The George Inn, Somerset
B&B of the Year
- The 25 Boutique B&B, Devon
Restaurant with Rooms of the Year
- Restaurant Interlude, West Sussex
Spa Hotel of the Year
- Hoar Cross Hall, Staffordshire
Restaurant Team Award
- The Goring, London
College Restaurant of the Year
- @34 Restaurant, Exeter College
New 5 Rosettes
- Forest Side, Grasmere
- Row on 5, London
New 4 Rosettes
- Cedar Tree Restaurant by Hrishikesh Desai, Cumbria
- Haar, Fife
- Restaurant Interlude, West Sussex
- Forge at Middleton Estate, North Yorkshire
- Solstice by Kenny Atkinson, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Source at Gilpin Hotel, Cumbria
New 3 Rosettes
- The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest, Northumberland
- Skof, Manchester
- The Horn of Plenty, Devon
- The Greyhound, Buckinghamshire
- Fawsley Hall Hotel and Spa, Daventry
- The Avenue at Lainston House, Winchester
- Sushi Kanesaka (45 Park Lane), London
- Melton’s, North Yorkshire
- Gorse, Cardiff
- The Braywood, Berkshire
- The Homestead Kitchen, North Yorkshire
- The Three Chimneys, Colbost
- Gravetye Manor, West Hoathly
New 5 Red Stars
- Raffles London at The OWO, London
- The Beaumont Mayfair, London
- 100 Princes Street, Edinburgh
New 4 Red Stars
- The Elms, Worcestershire
- Down Hall Hotel and Spa, Hertfordshire
- The Swan at Lavenham Hotel and Spa, Lavenham
- Foxhills, Surrey
New 3 Red Stars
- The Pig in the Cotswolds, Cotswolds
