Savour magazine’s Cara Houchen was at the Craft Guild of Chef Awards, which took place last night in London at the Park Plaza Hotel. While the awards recognise outstanding talent, innovation and dedication – last night was about so much more, says Cara.
Before the first award had even been presented, Simon Rimmer had already united the room.
Opening the evening at the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards, the chef, restaurateur and broadcaster began by asking a simple question: “Who’s supporting Tom Kerridge’s new #VATsTheProblem campaign?”
The response was immediate. The room erupted into applause, a clear demonstration of an industry standing together behind a movement calling for hospitality VAT to be reduced from 20% to 10%, bringing the UK more in line with many of its European neighbours. Supporters believe the change would help businesses invest, protect jobs and secure the future of the sector.
But while tax reform was the starting point, Simon’s speech quickly became something much bigger: a passionate reminder of why hospitality matters.
“There are not many industries where you can start washing somebody’s pots and, through hard work, endeavour and the support of fantastic people above you and around you, end up running a multi-million-pound business.”
It’s a story that countless chefs and hospitality professionals in the room could relate to – and one which I’ve heard countless times throughout my own career.
“So many people started with me on the lowest rung and are now in positions of huge responsibility. That needs to continue. Whatever sector we’re in tonight, our industry needs to be able to grow,” added Simon while on stage.
He also acknowledged the challenges currently facing hospitality. Too often, he said, creativity has been replaced by survival.
“I find that in recent times I’ve spent too much of my time looking at spreadsheets and balance sheets, not looking at creativity. I’m not looking at the thing that got us all to where we are. And that has to change. It really, really does.”
It was a sentiment that resonated across a room filled with chefs, restaurateurs and hospitality leaders who have spent the past few years navigating rising costs and economic uncertainty.
He also highlighted hospitality’s role as one of the UK’s greatest employers of young people.
“More people aged 16 to 25 begin their careers in hospitality and catering than in any other industry in the whole of the United Kingdom.”
He contrasted that with the frustration many in the sector felt when hospitality roles were previously labelled unskilled. “It was a terrible, terrible shock. An absolute insult.”
But perhaps the most powerful moment came as he reflected on what hospitality truly represents. “Our industry is about life.”
It’s there for birthdays and weddings. For graduations and reunions. For everyday family dinners and milestone celebrations. It’s where communities gather to celebrate sporting victories and where loved ones come together to remember those they’ve lost.
Food and hospitality are woven into every significant moment of our lives. Before the awards began, Simon asked everyone in the room to stand and raise a glass.
“Raise a glass to yourselves, to your teams, to your customers, but most importantly, to our incredible industry.”
It was more than a toast. It was a reminder that despite the challenges, hospitality remains one of the UK’s most resilient, creative and life-affirming industries – and one worth fighting for.
