YOUNG people working in hospitality, food and drink in Sussex were recognised at Monday night’s Bite Sussex Rising Stars Awards.
Organised by Bite Sussex in collaboration with the Sussex branch of the Institute of Hospitality, the annual awards champion careers in food and drink while celebrating the contribution young people make to restaurants, bars, farming and production.
Public nominations opened in the spring with more than 250 individuals aged 26 or under put forward by colleagues, guests and employers.
Nominations were then carefully looked over by a panel of 18 industry experts, chaired by Sir Peter Field, before a comprehensive written submission and phone interview process took place.
The finals of the awards were hosted at Monarch on King’s Road, Brighton, on Monday with some 120 guests in attendance.
There were eight categories including fishing, wine, kitchen, production, bar, front-of-house, hidden hero and Sussex champion.
Guests enjoyed canapés created by Monarch’s head chef Prakash Pushpakarnvimala alongside drinks from local distillery Slake Spirits and Sussex wines from Stopham Estate near Pulborough.
“The standard of candidates nominated was incredibly high,” said Sir Peter Field.
“The judge’s interviews with nominees really delved down into the nitty gritty of the experience of our young people working in food and drink.
“It’s been a positive experience that there are so many talented youngsters working in Sussex that want to grow in the industry and make the county their home to live and work.”
Isaac At in Gloucester Street, Brighton, landed two wins each for head chef Caspian Armani, 21, and sommelier Alex Preston, 26.
Caspian took home the awards for Kitchen Rising Star and Hidden Hero Rising Star, while Alex was awarded both Wine Rising Star and Sussex Champion for his clear passion for supporting and promoting local produce.
“Our judges were hugely impressed with both Alex and Caspian,” said Nathalie Gomez de Vera of Bite Sussex.
“In all they had eight judges decide on their wins so it really goes to show the heights that the Isaac At team have achieved together in a few short years”.
Isaac At’s entire kitchen and front-of-house team are aged 26 or under.
Featuring in the Michelin Guide and holding two coveted AA Restaurant Guide Rosettes, the restaurant serves up an ever-changing seasonal menu that has hyperlocal food at its core.
It can also rightly claim to be the first restaurant in the UK to feature an entirely English wine list.
The winner of the Producer award went to Jamie Newton, 25, co-founder of Three Acre Brewery near Uckfield, who began learning about brewing in his garden shed four years ago before setting up his business with two friends.
The Fishing and Seafood award went to Jack Messenger, also 25, of Sea Haze in Brighton’s Kings Road Arches.
Jack is following in the footsteps of his father in the family-owned business and said the fish-mongering and customer service skills he’s learned have set him up with a career for life.
Lucas Kelly, 21, of South Lodge near Horsham went home with the Up-Front Rising Star award.
The judges recognised his passion for going the extra mile to deliver the best possible guest experience.
The Bar Rising Star award went to Diogo Carvalho, 25, from the Hilton Brighton Metropole.
Originally from Portugal, Diogo joined the Metropole in May 2019 through the Hilton management graduate trainee programme.
A colleague who nominated him said of Diogo: “No problem is too big, he always has a solution focused mind-set and always thinks of the big picture.”
“It is so important that our industry continues to both celebrate and champion careers in the sector,” said Rachael Stevens, chairwoman of the Sussex branch of the Institute of Hospitality.
“The Rising Stars awards do just that.
“The talent and enthusiasm from all our nominees this year and their achievements to date are a testament to just how far a career in hospitality can take you. The Institute of Hospitality Sussex Branch are delighted to partner with Bite Sussex for these awards to ensure we continue to inspire hospitality careers and recognise the incredible talent we have within the region.”
Bite Sussex 2021 winners
- Bar Rising Star Award: Diogo Carvalho, 25, assistant outlets manager, Hilton Brighton Metropole, Brighton
- Fish and Seafood Rising Star Award: Jack Messenger, 25, fish shop manager, Sea Haze, Brighton
- Hidden Hero Rising Star Award: Caspian Armani, 21, head chef, Isaac At, Brighton
- Kitchen Rising Star Award: Caspian Armani
- Production Rising Star Award: Jamie Newton, 25, co-founder and head brewer, Three Acre Brewery, Uckfield
- Champion Rising Star Award: Alex Preston, 26, sommelier, Isaac At, Brighton
- Up-Front Rising Star Award: Lucas Kelly, 21, food and beverage supervisor, South Lodge, Horsham
- Wine Rising Star Award: Alex Preston, 26, sommelier, Isaac At.
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