A host of awards ceremonies have taken place in recent weeks including the AA Hospitality Awards as well as TripAdvisor's Best Restaurants from around the world.
In the British awards, celebrating the best of the UK hospitality sector, Chef Paul Ainsworth and hotelier Jonathan Raggett came out with top honours amongst the accomplished list of winners. Ainsworth was crowned Chefs' Chef of the Year for 2023, voted for by chefs at restaurants around the country which hold AA rosettes. Still very much engaged in the industry, Holdsworth is the chef-patron at Paul Ainsworth at the Michelin Starred Number 6 in Padstow, Cornwall.
English Michelin-starred chef at Murano, Angela Hartnett also took home one of the prized accolades, winning the Outstanding Contribution Award.
Raggett, Chief Executive of Red Carnation Hotels was given the honours of the AA Lifetime Achievement Award in celebration of his over 40 year career in the industry. Red Carnation Hotels offers up a family-owned collection of nearly 20 boutique luxury hotels and award-winning spas around the country. Raggett joined the business in 1998 as general manager of the Rubens at the Palace before taking on the role of managing director in 2000 and leading the expansion of the business.
On a more international scale, TripAdvisor recently announced their annual Travellers' Choice Awards ranking which features five worldwide categories each showcasing the best eateries as ranked by their online data.
The top five ranked 'fine dining' restaurants in the world are:
1. Restaurant Bourgainville, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2. Ise Sueyoshi, Nishiazabu, Japan
3. The Old Stamp House Restaurant, Ambleside, United Kingdom
4. Maison Medard, Boulleret, France
5. Ristorante Villa Crespi, Orta San Giulio, Italy
Amongst the other categories included is the top 'hidden gem' restaurants, which saw a top five of:
1. Restauracja Future & Wine, Warsaw, Poland
2. Omakase, Braga, Portugal
3. Kinara by Vikas Khanna, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
4. Rucula Cusco, Cusco, Peru
5. Goreme Han Restaurant, Goreme, Turkiye
Other categories include the best 'vegetarian-friendly' restaurants, the top five most family-friendly restaurants as well as the best 'date night' restaurants.
The aforementioned Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 finished eighth in the list, one of five UK restaurants which featured in the final global ranking, across two categories.
Finally, Uber Eats also recently announced their UK and Ireland Best Restaurant of the Year award for 2023 with the title going to Bristol's unassuming Sandwich Sandwich. But when you see the look of the sarnies on offer, then you'll understand why.
These monster butties come stacked full of filling, making for an enormous sandwich that will need a tactical approach to consumption.
Menu items cover a range of hot meat sandwiches including hog roast to BBQ beef brisket to crispy battered cod. There's also sweet potato hash sandwich filled with sweet potato pakora, hummus and pickled red onion. Or opt for the chicken kiev sandwich with breaded chicken, pilled bacon, garlic, parmesan and herby soft cheese or overnight roasted sirloin of rare roast beef.
Find out more about Sandwich Sandwich here and discover their monster dishes.