Paul Ainsworth and Angela Hartnett recognised at AA Hospitality Awards

Ainsworth, whose Cornwall-based portfolio includes the Michelin-starred Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 in Padstow and The Mariners gastropub in nearby Rock, was crowned AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year.

Hartnett, meanwhile, who is chef patron of the Michelin-starred Murano in London's Mayfair, received the Outstanding Contribution Award in recognition of her service to the industry.

The awards ceremony, presented by TV presenter and broadcaster Claudia Winkleman, also celebrated some of the UK’s top restaurants, pubs, hotels and spas.

Luxury hotel Pan Pacific London won the AA Accessible Award, while the AA Sustainable Award went to boutique hotel group The Pig.

Ambleside restaurant The Old Stamp House was named England’s Restaurant of the Year, with The Jackdaw in Conwy and Cail Bruich in Glasgow taking the respective titles for Wales and Scotland.

Restaurant group MW Eat’s London flagship Chutney Mary was named London’s Restaurant of the Year.

Camellia Panjabi, group director of MW Eat, said: “This award is completely unexpected, but greatly appreciated by my fellow directors and the committed long serving team at Chutney Mary.

“It is particularly noteworthy since Chutney Mary is a 33-year old restaurant - to be acknowledged now for this significant and esteemed achievement is especially touching, considering the focus among media is so often on the newest restaurants, food trends and rising star chefs.”

Elsewhere, Ynyshir in Ceredigion, The New Inn in Herefordshire and The Witchery in Edinburgh were named AA Restaurants with Rooms of the Year respectively for Wales, England and Scotland.

The AA Lifetime Achievement Award was given to hotelier Jonathan Raggett, CEO of Red Carnation Hotels.

Commenting on the awards, Simon Numphud, managing director at AA Media said: “It’s a delight to be back at Grosvenor House as we mark the greatest hospitality celebration across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

“The last year has been tough on the hospitality industry as we’ve felt, like many others, the challenges facing businesses. Yet I’m so proud of the resilience, innovation and quality shown by the UK hospitality industry in response.

“We would like to extend a massive congratulations all the winners and shortlisted establishments for their hard work, passion, and dedication.”

As well as the individual awards, the AA also unveiled its latest tranche of Rosette Award winners, with Tom Aikens' London restaurant Muse and Steve Smith at The Latymer in Surrey both receiving the maximum five rosettes.

A further six restaurants received four rosettes, with another 28 restaurants given three rosettes.

Establishments with three AA Rosettes are all outstanding restaurants achieving standards which demand national recognition well beyond their local area, while those awarded four or five AA Rosettes are considered among the top restaurants in the country.