The Cateys 2024: Michel Roux given lifetime achievement award at 'Oscars of the hospitality industry'

The legendary chef Michel Roux was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Catey Awards on Tuesday night, honouring his 31 years leading the kitchen at Le Gavroche and his part in training the next generation.

Roux, who closed Le Gavroche at the beginning of the year, and opened Chez Roux at The Langham hotel in May, was among numerous winners at the Cateys, put on by The Caterer magazine and known by some as the “Oscars of the hospitality industry”.

At a glittering ceremony at Grosvenor House hotel on Park Lane, Caterer editor James Stagg praised the achievements of many and remarked on Roux’s illustrious career.

“It has been incredibly special to welcome the industry’s finest operators back to Grosvenor House once again,” he said. “This year’s winners showcase the drive and determination of hospitality. Whether operators are rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic, speaking out about the sector’s challenges or training the next generation, we’re proud to celebrate all their achievements.

“It’s extra special for us to recognise Michel Roux, who has always embodied the best qualities of the industry. There are countless people across hospitality who owe their careers to the Roux family and Le Gavroche, so we feel this is a fitting tribute.”

The Catey Awards looks to celebrate the hospitality industry’s most talented chefs, restaurateurs, brands and performers. Accolades are decided by industry judges who have been selected for their expertise and knowledge.

Notable among the winners this year were Aktar Islam, who scooped the 2024 Chef Award and hailed a “great ambassador for the industry”, and Adam Handling, behind Frog in Covent Garden, among others, who was named Restaurateur of the Year (Independent). Nisha Katona, founder of the Indian restaurant group Mowgli, took home the award for Restaurateur of the Year (Group).

Tuesday evening’s event was held in the grand ballroom of the hotel and saw a menu prepared by the winner of 2023’s Ruby Catey, the two-Michelin-starred Chef Raymond Blanc.

Full list of the 2024 winners

• Best Employer Award: Gleneagles

• Best Marketing Campaign Award: Seven Dials Market

• Manager of the Year Award: Helle Jensen, Covent Garden Hotel

• Best Use of Technology Award: Gather & Gather

• Chef Award – Sponsored by Brakes: Aktar Islam

• Education and Training Award: Professor Peter Jones, Crumbs

• Foodservice Caterer Award: Matt Thomas, Restaurant Associates

• Health and Nutrition Award: Signature Education

• Hotel of the Year – Group – Sponsored by Caterer.com: The Langham, London

• Hotel of the Year – Independent – Sponsored by Miele: Heckfield Place

• Menu of the Year Award – Sponsored by P&O Cruises: Lark, Bury St Edmunds

• Newcomer Award – Sponsored by Motion Picture Licensing Company: Upstairs by Tom Shepherd

• Pub and Bar Award: Liberation Group

• Public Sector Caterer Award – Sponsored by Bidfood: Paul Robottom, Signature Dining Ltd

• Restaurateur of the Year – Group – Sponsored by St Ewe Eggs: Nisha Katona, Mowgli

• Restaurateur of the Year – Independent: Adam Handling, Adam Handling Restaurant Group

• Sustainable Business Award – Sponsored by Unox: Exclusive Collection

• Wine and Spirit Ambassador Award: Isa Bal, Trivet

• Accessibility Award: Windmill Barns Holiday Lets

• International Outstanding Achievement Award – Sponsored by Compass Group UK & Ireland: Sharan Pasricha

• Special Award – Sponsored by CH&Co: Chris Mitchell and Robbie Laidlaw

• Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by Seafood from Norway: Michel Roux