The finals of the Bite Sussex Rising Stars Awards will be hosted at Brighton Beach House on Madeira Drive on Monday 28 November, writes Nick Mosley
The annual awards are a celebration of the contribution of young people working in the food, drink and hospitality sectors. The public – including colleagues and consumers – were invited to nominate talented under 26s via the Bite Sussex website over the Spring and Summer before the top two in each category were passed to a panel of respected judges who collectively have many years working in the industry and experience of managing and training young people.
“The standard of nominees has been very high”, said Sir Peter Field, chair of the judges. “There have been so many young people put forward who deserve to be recognised however we decided this year to only take the top two from each category based on the public’s vote”.
“I know I speak for everyone involved in the awards when I say it’s reassuring for the industry to have talented and committed staff entering into the workforce. We face so many economic, recruitment and retention challenges currently but the awards offer hope for the future of food, drink, hospitality and wider tourism in Sussex”.
The award finals are an invite-only event and will see luminaries from across Sussex in attendance including hoteliers, bar and pub managers, farmers, producers and restaurateurs and chefs. Guests will be welcomed on the evening with drinks provided by Stopham Wine Estate, Bedlam Brewery, Arbikie Estate and Double Dutch premium mixers.
The venue for the awards, Brighton Beach House, saw the opportunity to host the BITE Sussex Rising Stars Awards dovetailed perfectly with their own mentoring programme.
“At Soho House we are passionate about nurturing emerging creative talent”, said Julie Grout of Brighton Beach House .
“Our local mentorship programme runs in partnership with Creative Mentor Network, pairing members with young creatives in Brighton to grow their connections, confidence and experience. With the Sussex Rising Star Awards, we are proud to extend our support to aspiring talent in the hospitality industry.”
The awards have long been supported by local media including The Argus, Latest and BBC Sussex who’s breakfast show presenter – Allison Ferns – will be master of ceremonies on the night.
“The Argus are always happy to support countywide initiatives such as the Rising Stars Awards”, said editor Arron Hendy.
“Not only do the awards raise the profile of careers in Sussex hospitality but also bring together colleagues for a much-needed enjoyable evening”.
The results of the Bite Sussex Rising Stars Awards will be announced on BBC Sussex on Tuesday 29 November and printed in full in The Argus on Wednesday 30 November.
Bite Sussex Rising Star 2022 finalists and category judges
Kitchen Rising Star
Finalists: Caspian Armani (Issac At) and Antonio Pio Iassogna (Hilton Brighton Metropole)
Category judges: Jeremy Ashpool and Simon Mckenzie
Upfront Rising Star
Finalists: Amy Davis (Pizzaface) and Connor Harris (Isaac At)
Category judges: Anne Ackord (Brighton Palace Pier) and Gavin Stewart (Brilliant Brighton)
Bar Rising Star
Finalists: Darius Gilby (Twisted Lemon) and Lyndon Roper (Loading Bar)
Category judges: Zoe Cunliffe (Mixology Group) and Arron Hendy (The Argus)
Wine Rising Star
Finalists: Jonny Driscoll (Butlers Wine Cellar and Ridgeview Wine Estate) and Jack Evans (The Pig in the South Downs)
Category judges: Andrew Kay (Latest) and Julia Trustram-Eve (Wine GB)
Hidden Hero Rising Star
Finalists: Rachel Blake (Brighton Gin) and Katie Randall (Pizzaface)
Category judges: Tom Flint (Bottle and Jug Dept) and Olivia Reid (Sessions Markets)
Production Rising Star
Finalists: Rob Smith (Arrowtown Drinks) and Olivia Zen-Aloush (Saffron Farm)
Category judges: Kier Foster (Brighton and Newhaven Fish Sales) and Ed Johnstone (The Sussex Peasant)
Sussex Champion Rising Star
Finalists: Guy Christie-Miller (Isaac At) and Lyndon Roper (Loading Bar)
Category judges; Allison Ferns (BBC Sussex) and Molly Raftery (Soho House)