Glastonbury's Ayesha Kalaji has been named chef of the year at the 2026 Be Inclusive Hospitality Spotlight Awards.

The Queen of the Cups chef received the award at a ceremony at Quaglino's in London on Monday, 12 October.

The Welsh-Jordanian chef was recognised for her approach to Middle Eastern cuisine, drawing on her Jordanian heritage. She was among the winners across 16 categories covering chefs, restaurants, pubs, drinks professionals and food writers.

Now in their fifth year, the awards recognise Black and ethnic minority people and businesses working in UK hospitality. Around 300 industry professionals attended the ceremony, with this year's finalists representing seven UK regions and more than 10 cuisines.

Lorraine Copes, founder and chief executive of Be Inclusive Hospitality, said: "Every year, these awards bring new stories, journeys and ambitions from 60 finalists. What has remained constant over the past five years is the exhilaration, celebration and connections forged between our community and partners, a reminder of hospitality's bright future.

"Recognition and visibility for deserving people and businesses matter more than ever. Hospitality is a tough industry to navigate, and my hope is that these awards continue to give our finalists the encouragement and momentum to keep moving forward."

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