IoH announce shortlist for global Restaurant Manager of the Year 2026
The Institute of Hospitality has announced the 16 shortlisted finalists who will compete for the Restaurant Manager of the Year 2026 (RMOY) title at the Hotel Café Royal, London on 2 February 2026.
The competition, sponsored by Hotel Café Royal, Laurent-Perrier and Menzies LLP, is now in its 17th year and is recognised as one of the industry’s most respected professional competitions.
This year’s awards attracted a record number of applicants from across the hospitality sector. All candidates were assessed through written submissions and supporting evidence, demonstrating leadership capability, professionalism, commitment to developing people, and the ability to deliver consistently high standards of guest experience.
After detailed deliberation, this year’s 16 IoH Restaurant Manager of the Year 2026 shortlisted finalists are:
- Enzo Buonocore MIH - The Ritz, London
- Amedeo Caterino - Lanelay Hall Hotel and Spa, Pontclun, Wales
- Ellen Maria Conway - Leonardo Royal London City Hotel, London
- Katie Marriott - Jamaica Inn, Cornwall
- Darren Moore - The Belfry Hotel and Resort, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
- Nathaniel Morales MIH - Park Hyatt London River Thames, London
- Rowan Moulton AIH - The Royal George, Tintern, Chepstow, Wales
- Joshua Oliver Ndirmbita MIH - Estelle Manor, Oxfordshire
- Antonio Palombo AIH - Upmarket Leisure and Hotels, INNSIDE by Meliá, Manchester
- Alessandro Passaglia AIH - Aviator Hampshire, Farnborough, Surrey
- William Derek Periac-Arnold - Restoration, Sevenoaks, Kent
- Bharathkumar Ravichandran AIH - Estelle Manor, Oxfordshire
- Alina Sirbu MIH - The Landmark, London
- Diana Carolina Suzuki Chong - Kerridge’s Bar and Grill at Corinthia, London
- Pete Wayre MIH - The In and Out Naval and Military Club, London
- Jingchun Yu MIH – COSMO, Reading
All shortlisted finalists will now progress to the live final on Monday 2 February 2026 at Hotel Cafe Royal, London, where they will undergo a number of practical judging challenges, with the winner and runner-up announced live on stage, at the celebratory evening reception.
Assessing this year’s finalists in a live setting will be judging panel chair and Head Judge Jakob Gowin FIH, General Manager at Meliá White House, supported by a panel of senior hospitality professionals including Micaela Barlow FIH, Quality & Curriculum Director, HIT Training, Graham Allen MIH, Global Operations Director, Aspire Executive Lounges, Raj Chakraborty FIH, Regional General Manager at Macdonald Hotels, Dawn Lawrence MIH, CEO and Founder of Hospitality Jobs UK, Laura Madeley, Director at Menzies LLP and Zul Rahim MIH, Director of Food and Beverage Operations at Hilton London Bankside.
This year’s winner will receive the Restaurant Manager of the Year 2026 title and trophy, a tailored professional development programme designed around them, a year of tickets to attend the Institute’s flagship events, one year’s Institute of Hospitality membership and additional prizes to support their professional journey.
Robert Richardson FIH MI, Chief Executive of the Institute of Hospitality, said: “Restaurant Manager of the Year is designed to recognise professionalism, leadership and potential within a vital area of hospitality. The record number of applications this year reflects the strength of talent across our global industry. Being shortlisted is a significant achievement. I look forward to seeing our 16 talented finalists demonstrate their skills at Hotel Cafe Royal in February and to the announcement of our new 2026 winner.”
Key dates:
- Semi-final, final and winners’ reception – Monday 2 February 2026
Tickets to the live final are on sale now here.
A special thank you to our supporters for helping make this event happen: Splendid Hospitality, IPW1, and Belu