The shortlists for the 2020 CGA Peach Hero & Icon Awards have been announced, including new categories to reflect the changing and challenging circumstances faced by the pub, bar and restaurant sector this year.
The winners will be revealed on Wednesday November 18 at a special virtual awards ceremony to honour the most outstanding, resilient, innovative and committed people and companies in the out-of-home food and drink market. The presentations will form the final session of CGA’s BIG Peach 2020 Digital Experience, which will be streamed live during the day.
As well as the Hero Awards, which feature new categories this year in the form of Communicator of the Year, Lockdown Hero and Reimagined Brand, the early evening event will see the presentation of the Peach Special Award, for a non-operator who has shown unstinting support for the out-of-home sector, and the prestigious Icon Awards, given to individuals who have left a major mark on the sector over a period of time. There are no shortlists for the Special or Icon awards.
The awards will be hosted from the Peach studio in London by awards founder and CGA VP Peter Martin, who said: “We all know only too well what a difficult year this has been. These shortlists are recognition of the efforts of individuals from all parts of our industry, big corporates to entrepreneurial start-ups, who have continued to push forward despite the myriad of challenges they have faced, with determination, creativity and no little camaraderie. It’s been impossible to include every outstanding contribution, but November 18 will give us all a chance to toast all their achievements.”
INDUSTRY HERO AWARDS
Selected by industry peers
Newcomer
For the concept or business that has emerged in the last 24 months and shown the potential to not just survive but thrive as a sustainable operation.
- Bancone, London
- Bull & Bear, Manchester
- Escape to Freight Island, Manchester
- Lerpwl, Liverpool
- Madre, Liverpool
- Vardo, London
Communicator of the Year
For our top industry advocate, the operator who has most consistently and cogently presented the sector’s case to the media, politicians and the wider public
- Will Beckett, Hawksmoor
- Peter Borg-Neal, Oakman Inns
- Jonathan Downey, Hospitality Union
- Tim Foster, Yummy Pubs
- Charlie Gilkes, Inception Group
- Nisha Katona, Mowgli
- Sacha Lord, The Warehouse Project
- Martin Wolstencroft, Arc Inspirations
Lockdown Hero
For the person, company and/or initiative that did most to support communities, the vulnerable and/or the NHS during lockdown. No shortlist for this award
Reimagined brand or business
In recognition of the inventiveness and agility shown in diversifying and creating new business activities in the face of market changes
- Caravan
- Cote
- Hawksmoor
- Honest Burger
- Grind
- Pizza Pilgrims
- Rudy’s
- Sidechick by Patty & Bun
Best destination/New opening
For venues that have delivered a creative and commercially successful new opening in a great location despite the current difficulties.
- The Boathouse at Boulters Lock, Maidenhead
- Bull & Bear, Manchester
- Cosy Club, Nottingham
- Shelter Hall, Brighton
- Dishoom, Birmingham
- Zumhof, Birmingham
Outstanding major business
For companies with 50 plus sites that have most successfully navigated the challenges of 2020 for customers, their teams and financially.
- Brewdog
- Franco Manca
- JW Lees
- Loungers
- Wagamama
- Nando’s
Outstanding entrepreneurial business
For companies with fewer than 50 sites that have delivered excellent results, a great product and set high standards across the board.
- The Alchemist
- Dishoom
- Hawksmoor
- Inception Group
- Oakman Inns
- Pizza Pilgrims
Individual of the Year
For the industry leader that stepped up and inspired their teams and their peers
- Peter Borg-Neal, Oakman Inns
- Robin Hutson, The Pig Hotel
- Charlie Gilkes, Inception Group
- Nisha Katona, Mowgli
- David McDowall, Brewdog
- Alex Reilley, Loungers
- Emma Woods, Wagamama
CONSUMER HERO AWARDS
Selected via consumer feedback from the CGA BrandTrack survey
Resurgent brand
For brands that have successfully reconnected with their customer-base and won new advocates
- Brewhouse & Kitchen
- Hawksmoor
- Hickory’s Smokehouse
- Honest Burger
- The Ivy Collection
- Turtle Bay
Power Brand
For major brands that have shown resilience through lockdown, attracting back consumers and chalking up high revisit scores
- Farmhouse Inns
- Five Guys
- JD Wetherspoon
- Loungers
- Miller & Carter
- Nando’s
To book your online ticket for the awards ceremony and the BIG Peach 2020 Digital Experience, register here.
For more information about the awards and the day, contact emily.small@cga.co.uk.
