The event, hosted at Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane, celebrates the success of individuals and companies across the hospitality industry, with the winners appearing in the 2016 AA Hotel, Restaurant and Pub Guides.
While Clifford won the AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year award, Robin Hutson, executive chairman of the PIG chain, picked up the AA Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment and dedication to the hospitality industry over the course of his lifetime.
The AA Hotel of the Year award is split into five categories: London’s winner was Corinthia Hotel, England’s winner was Taplow’s Cliveden, St George’s Hotel in Llandudno was named the best hotel in Wales, St. Andrews’ Rufflets Country House picked up the Scottish award and the winner of the best hotel in Northern Ireland was Galgorm Resort and Spa in Ballymena.
The AA Restaurant of the Year is split into four categories: London’s winner was Tredwell’s London, House of Tides in Newcastle Upon Tyne won England’s award, Wales’ winner was Coast Restaurant in Saundersfoot and Glasgow’s The Gannet won the award in Scotland.
Other winners on the night:
AA Pub of the Year
Winner, England – The Porch House, Stow-on-the-Wold
Winner, Wales – Kinmel Arms, Abergele
Winner, Scotland – The Scran and Scallie, Edinburgh
AA Wine Award
Winner, England and Overall – The Sun Inn, Dedham
Winner, Wales – Walnut Tree, Abergavenny
Winner, Scotland – Ubiquitous Chip, Glasgow
AA Hotel Group of the Year
Winner – Brend Hotels
AA Eco Hotel and Eco Hotel Group of the Year
Winner, Eco Hotel – The Savoy, London
Winner, Eco Hotel Group – Exclusive Hotels and Venues
AA Food Service Award
Winner – Belmond Le Manoir aux Quats’ Saisons
AA Housekeeper of the Year Award
Winner – Sarah Middlemas – The Old Course Hotel, St Andrews
AA Spirit Award
Winner – The Churchill Bar and Terrace, London