Outlaw was chosen by all AA Rosette-awarded chefs and succeeds Tom Kerridge, who won last year’s award.
Restaurant Nathan Outlaw also made the list of new four-Rosette establishments, along with Bohemia (St Helier), The Greenhouse (London), Le Gavroche (London), Restaurant Story (London), Texture (London), and The French by Simon Rogan (Manchester).
The Lifetime Achievement Award also went to a chef this year, with River Café founder Ruth Rogers accepting the title on behalf of her team and late partner Rose Gray. “I am just a member of a really wonderful team,” she said.
Held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, the awards recognised excellence in hospitality, with categories including Hotel of the Year, Foodservice, Housekeeper of the Year, Wine, and Spirit of the Year.
The much-coveted AA Restaurant of the Year awards went to Sticky Walnut, Chester for England, Bully’s, Cardiff for Wales, Timberyard, Edinburgh for Scotland and Jason Atherton’s Berners Tavern for London.
Hotels
On the hotel front, Dormy House, Broadway (England), Ynyshir Hall, Eglwys Fach (Wales), Meldrum House Country Hotel, Aberdeen (Scotland), Rosewood (London) and The Bushmills Inn Hotel (Northern Ireland) were all hailed for their commitment to providing the best guest experience.
Eden Hotel Collection won the AA Small Hotel Group of the Year award, while the AA Hotel group of the Year went to Q Hotels.
The Eco Hotel of the Year title was given to Waterton Hotel in Yorkshire, whose owners installed a piping system in its surrounding lake to provide heating for the whole facility. “Four years ago we spent £57,000 pounds a year on oil, and now we don’t even have an oil tank on the property,” founder Dave Kaye told BigHospitality.
Pubs
The AA Pub of the Year Awards were given to The Pheasant, Gestingthorpe for England, The Bridge Inn, Ratho for Scotland and Bunch of Grapes, Pontypridd for Wales. Bunch of Grapes owner Nick otley told BigHospitality: “It feels really damn good to win – we hoped for it but didn’t expect it. It’s a recognition for the vision we’ve had over the past ten years, and a pat on the back. What set us apart was integrity, hard work, and being true to our passion.”
Full list of winners
AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year 2014: Nathan Outlaw
AA Lifetime Achievement Award: Ruth Rogers MBE
AA Hotel of the Year
- England – Dormy House, Broadway
- Wales – Ynyshir Hall, Eglwys Fach
- Scotland – Meldrum House Country Hotel, Aberdeen
- London– Rosewood London, London
- Northern Ireland – The Bushmills Inn Hotel, Bushmills
AA Restaurant of the Year
- England – Sticky Walnut, Chester
- Wales – Bully’s, Cardiff
- Scotland – Timberyard, Edinburgh
- London– Berners Tavern, London
AA Wine Award
- England and Overall – The Queensberry Hotel, Bath
- Wales – The Grove, Narbeth
- Scotland – The Peat Inn, St Andrews
AA Pub of the Year
- England – The Pheasant, Gestingthorpe
- Wales – Bunch of Grapes, Pontypridd
- Scotland – The Bridge Inn, Ratho
AA Small Hotel Group of the Year: Eden Hotel Collection
AA Hotel Group of the Year: Q Hotels
AA Eco Hotel of the Year: Waterton Park Hotel
AA Eco Hotel Group of the Year: Red Carnation Hotels
AA Food Service Award: Galvin at Windows
AA Housekeeper of the Year Award: Geraldine Maursy - The Landmark
AA Spirit Award: The Merchant Hotel, Belfast