Amongst the many current awards schemes, the AA Awards remain amongst the most prestigious, with winners selected in recognition of excellence and success within their award category, having shown a significant improvement within the preceding 12 to 18 months and proving their dedication to raising industry standards and enhancing both their guest and diner experiences.
The Award winners 2012
23 establishments and individuals received recognition for outstanding excellence in their field, including a Lifetime Achievement award for Antonio Carluccio OBE and the coveted AA’s Chefs’ Chef Award for Pierre Koffmann.
The AA Lifetime Achievement Award: Antonio Carluccio
This Award recognises professionals within the hospitality industry who have committed their lives to the pursuit of perfection within their discipline. Winners of this award are to be congratulated for making significant fundamental contributions to the industry which have had a notable impact, and must have demonstrated a lifetime commitment to progress in their field.
With a career that has spanned five decades, Antonio Carluccio first came to Britain in 1975 when he took a job as a wine merchant selling Italian wines. He also continued his hobby of searching for mushrooms in the English countryside. In 1981, Carluccio took over the Neal Street restaurant in Covent Garden and a decade later opened his first deli in the adjacent premises. In the meantime, his TV and writing career began to take off and in 1998 the first Carluccio’s Cafe was born in Market Street, London. He is best known in this country for his white hair, gentle manner and above all for a lifetime of passion and dedication to food, cooking and the wonderful ingredients and traditions of his beloved Italy.
AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year: Pierre Koffmann
It comes as no surprise that Pierre Koffmann has been voted by his peers as Chef’s Chef of the Year for 2012-2013, more of a surprise that he has not won this prestigious award before.
Pierre Koffmann has been cooking up a storm in the culinary world for over four decades. His career has seen him working all over Europe before his love of rugby brought him to England in 1970. On arriving in London, he worked for the Roux brothers before opening his now legendary restaurant, La Tante Claire in 1977. Three years ago Pierre came out of retirement and a year later Koffmann’s at The Berkeley opened to critical acclaim. A modest and thoughtful chef who is dedicated to the stove, it is not difficult to see why he is so well respected in his field. He is a truly iconic figure in the culinary world and has played a pivotal role in training a number of today’s great chefs including Tom Aikens, Tom Kitchin, Marco Pierre White and Eric Chavot.
Speaking of his award, Pierre said, ‘It is always nice to be recognised in the industry. To be nominated for this award by my fellow chefs makes it all the more special.’
AA Hotel of the Year
England: Lime Wood, Lyndhurst
Scotland: The Torridon, Torridon
Wales: Bodysgallen Hall & Spa, Llandudno
London: Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, London
AA Restaurant of the Year
England: The Church Green British Grill, Lymm
Scotland: Rogano, Glasgow
Wales: Sosban, Llanelli
London: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London
AA Pub of the Year
England: The Black Swan, Ravenstonedale
Scotland: West Brewery, Glasgow
Wales: The Inn at Penallt, Monmouth
AA Wine Award of the Year
England & Overall: L’Etranger, London
Scotland: Castle Terrace Restaurant, Edinburgh
Wales: The Felin Fach Griffin, Brecon
AA Hotel Group of the Year
Winner: Hand Picked Hotels
AA Small Hotel Group of the Year
Winner: Cotswold Inns & Hotels
Eco Hotel Group of the Year Award
Winner: Macdonald Hotels & Resorts
AA Eco Hotel of the Year
Winner: The Green House, Bournemouth
AA New multi-Rosette Establishments
Winner: Hibiscus, London
For more information on all the winners click here