The finalists in the four selected categories - AA Food Service Award, AA Housekeeper of the Year Award, AA Eco Hotel of the Year and the AA Spirit Award - have been released more than four weeks before the awards night at Grosvenor House hotel which will see 23 individuals and companies rewarded as well as the announcement of the new three, four and five AA Rosette and AA Red Star establishments.
Finalists in the AA Food Service Award, designed to recognise businesses which deliver excellent standards of restaurant service and hospitality, are committed to staff training and development and boast staff with technical service skills and a high standard of food and beverage knowledge are:
- Belmond Le Manoir aux Quats’ Saisons in Oxford
- Jesmonde Dene House in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
- Paul Ainsworth at No 6 in Padstow
The AA Housekeeper of the Year Award recognises outstanding commitment and performance with the award going to a housekeeper who 'goes above and beyond the call of duty'. Finalists are:
- Gitana Cibulskiene of The Arch London
- Sarah Middlemass of The Old Course Hotel in St Andrews
- Lesley Skelt of Coworth Park in Ascot
The AA Eco Hotel of the Year acknowledges independent hotels 'which have demonstrated a clear commitment to sustainability'. The three finalists are:
- The Savoy in London
- Llangoed Hall in Brecon
- City Hotel in Londonderry
The AA Spirit Award, introduced last year to recognise the promotion, education and service of spirits in the hospitality industry has the following finalists:
- Rockliffe Hall in Darlington
- The Churchill Bar and Terrace in London
- The Grand Hotel and Spa in York