An Executive Chef working at one of East Lancashire's Michelin-starred restaurants has won the prestigious Chef Award at a ceremony known as the ‘hospitality Oscars’.

Lisa Goodwin-Allen, who runs the kitchen at Northcote Hotel and Restaurant in Langho, received the accolade at the Cateys awards, held by The Caterer magazone, at London's Grosvenor House on Tuesday night.

Now in their 39th year, the Cateys are seen as the ultimate accolades in the industry, recognising individuals, teams, and companies that distinguish themselves within the hospitality sector.

The Chef Award, usually considered the highest honour of the evening and seen as an indicator of the top chef in the country in any one year, is chosen by a panel of industry judges.

On being awarded the Chef Award, Lisa, 41, who is also director of The Game Bird and American Bar at The Stafford in London, was praised for her work ethic and exquisite cooking.

She was described by the judges as having "significantly impacted the hospitality industry over the past year; being an incredibly hard working individual who embraces, showcases and develops young talent; a great, inspiring role model and shining light".

An emotional Lisa, the best chef in Britain for 2022, said: “Wow, it really is so amazing to be recognised by my peers and be awarded the Chef Award.

"It’s such an honour and it brings a tear to my eye.

"A Catey is one of those awards that you always want to win in your lifetime.

"I feel like it’s a dream come true. I want to thank everyone who has supported me and believed in me.

"A huge big shout out and thank you to my incredible teams at Northcote and The Stafford London, without them, none of this would be possible.”

Lisa’s seasonal and adventurous menus are bursting with flavour and tap into celebrated ingredients, delivering on taste and artistic flair.

She has been Executive Chef at one Michelin star Northcote in the Ribble Valley since October 2017, and she took over the reins in the kitchen at the age of just 23.

Last year Lisa took over the direction of The Stafford London’s celebrated restaurant, The Game Bird, working collaboratively with executive chef Jozef Rogulski.

The talented chef is passionate about using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients to incorporate her Lancashire roots into her creative dishes, and she lives and breathes food - a passion that means she is always looking for interesting ingredients and techniques, and experimenting to create dishes where the ingredients and their flavour shine through.

Notably, Lisa works across the whole kitchen - managing the team, developing new dishes, handling the ins and outs of the commercial side of the kitchen, and creating a passionate and positive place for the team to work.

Both Northcote and The Game Bird’s ethos to use local suppliers is close to Lisa’s heart, and she believes there are many unsung heroes and new generations developing new products that she likes to discover and work with.

Editor of The Caterer, James Stagg, said: “It has been striking to witness just how imaginative hospitality businesses have been in delivering exceptional guest experiences over the last 12 months, despite battling incredibly challenging trading conditions and a full-blown staffing crisis.

"This year’s Catey winners have demonstrated that despite such operational challenges, the industry continues to innovate and create opportunities to impress. They define what’s so special about hospitality.

"Delivering exceptional experiences time after time and maintaining the highest standards of business performance. Congratulations to all our winners.”

Full list of winners at the 2022 Catey Awards:

 

  • Best Marketing Campaign Award, sponsored by Bidfood – Meldrum House Country Hotel and Golf Course, Aberdeenshire
  • Manager of the Year Award, sponsored by Montgomery Group – Dale MacPhee, General Manager, Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian
  • Best Use of Technology Award, sponsored by Ten Kites – Mollie’s Motel & Diner
  • Accessibility Award, sponsored by Blue Badge Access Awards – Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
  • Newcomer Award, sponsored by Diversified – Fallow, London
  • Menu of the Year Award, sponsored by Belazu – BiBi Restaurant, London
  • Sustainable Business Award, sponsored by 4C Associates – The Goodwood Hotel, Chichester
  • Pub and Bar Award, sponsored by Britvic – André Ferreira, The Wigmore, The Langham, London
  • Restauranteur of the Year – Independent, sponsored by Opentable - Andreas Antona, Antona Restaurants
  • Restauranteur of the Year – Group, sponsored by Entegra Europe – Mitch Tonks, Rockfish
  • Best Employer Award, sponsored by harri – Thomas Franks
  • Wine and Spirit Ambassador Award, sponsored by Matthew Clark – Jan Konetzki, Four Seasons Hotel London at 10 Trinity Square
  • Health and Nutrition Award, sponsored by Indeed Flex – Nutrition and Hydration Week
  • Public Sector Caterer Award, sponsored by Bidfood – Michael Hales, Juniper Ventures
  • Education and Training Award, sponsored by Caterer.com – Adrian Ellis, The Lowry Hotel, Salford
  • Hotel of the Year – Group, sponsored by Food Alert – The Grand, York
  • Hotel of the Year – Independent, sponsored by Miele Company – Grove of Narberth, Pembrokeshire
  • Foodservice Caterer Award, sponsored by Diversey - Frank Bothwell, Thomas Franks
  • Chef Award, sponsored by Brakes – Lisa Goodwin-Allen
  • International Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored by Diversey – Hélène Darroze
  • Special Award, sponsored by CH&Co – Robin Sheppard
  • Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Bizimply, Jeremy King