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Credit: Be Inclusive Hospitality UK Spotlight Awards, Writer of the Year category. www.bihospitality.co.uk
(Image credit: Be Inclusive Hospitality UK Spotlight Awards, Writer of the Year category. www.bihospitality.co.uk)

Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) is a not-for-profit organisation, born out of the lack of representation of Black, Asian and minority groups at all levels of the hospitality, food & drink industry. Founded by Lorraine Copes in 2020, its mission is to accelerate racial equity in the industry. 

The Spotlight Awards is the first of its kind for BIH, aptly named as it will shine a spotlight on businesses and individuals from Black, Asian and minority backgrounds by recognising their talents.

There will be 13 award categories selected by the public and shortlisted by the industry’s expert judging panel, which comprises:

TV presenter and celebrity chef, Andi Oliver

Co-founder of D&D London, Des Gunewardena

Food and diversity consultant, Mallika Basu

Masterchef winner and restaurateur, Shelina Permalloo

Author and chef, Mike Reid

Global rum ambassador, Ian Burrell,

Wine and sake educator, Shane Jones

CEO and founder of Umbrella Training, Adele Oxberry

Co-owner of Tayēr + Elementary, Monica Berg

Chef consultant, Jay Morjaria.

Decanter will be sponsoring the Writer of the Year Award, which will celebrate writers from across the industry.

The winner will be chosen by the panel and announced at a live ceremony on Monday 24th October 2022 at Percy’s London.

Meet the Writer of the

Year Finalists

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(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Emanuele Mensah @cocktailswithlele

London-based author, bartender, photographer and videographer Emanuele Mensah has worked for some of the best cocktail bars in the world. Starting a YouTube channel in 2020, he grew his following with his “How to make…” cocktail tutorials. Mixing well-known cocktails, from simple to challenging classics for viewers to follow along at home.

Melissa Thompson @fowlmouthsfood 

FOWL MOUTHS: Food & Recipe Project

Former national journalist Melissa Thompson is now a food writer and BBC Good Food Columnist. She is an advocate for race, diversity and inclusion and has written for The Guardian, Vittles, BBC Good Food, Waitrose Magazine and more.

Chetna Makan @chetnamakan

Chetna Makan was part of the ‘Great British Bake off’ in 2014 where she shared her passion for Indian food by incorporating Indian flavours with English bakes. She has since written six cookbooks and developed recipes for Waitrose magazine, BBC Good Food, Sainsbury’s and national newspapers.

David Jesudason @davidjes601

British–Asian freelance journalist David Jesudason has written for Good Beer Hunting, Pellicle, Vittles and BBC Culture, covering issues surrounding race. He has written his first book “Desi Pubs: A Guide to British-Indian Pubs, Food & Culture”, which is due to be published next summer. 

Congratulations and good luck to all the finalists.