Joanna Flood
September 11, 2026
News

Last night, The Pelligon became the place to be as we raised a glass, hit the dance floor and celebrated the best of BaxterStorey. 

More than 300 team members travelled from across the UK, Ireland, France and the Netherlands for a celebration like no other. From culinary trailblazers and inspirational leaders to front-of-house stars, support champions and kitchen porters, the night shone a spotlight on the people making an impact across every corner of our business.

Celebrating our stars

The evening got underway with our CEO, Ronan Harte, reflecting on a great year, celebrating the milestones and successes, with a standing ovation for every finalist in the room. 

As the awards began, the room erupted with cheers as each winner took to the stage. From rising stars setting the standard to long-serving team members who have become the driving force behind their operations, every award told a story of talent, commitment and excellence. 

Greg Bramwell, Director of Food and Beverage, took to the stage to announce Alex Pach as Chef of the Year. Alex earned the title not just for his exceptional culinary talent and legendary bakery skills, but for the incredible food experiences he delivers and the lasting impression he has on people around him.

There were huge cheers for Manager of the Year Kimberley Macdonald, Front of House Star Rio Garcia, Support Champion Karen Clarke and Leader of the Year Darren Gilbertson, as they stepped onto the stage, earning their moment in the spotlight. 

Steve Wilson was crowned Gamechanger of the Year for the impact he’s had far beyond his day job. Fuelled by his passion for sustainable nutrition, coaching and food education, he’s challenged people to think differently and inspired positive change across our business. 

From powerhouse teams to the behind-the-scenes heroes, the celebrations kept on coming as even more gamechangers stepped on stage. Among the winners were Jennifer Edwards, Chef Manager of the Year, Emma Bourke, Rising Star, M&G, Team of the Year and Faiz Qurbani, Kitchen Porter.

This year also saw the introduction of the brand-new Judges’ Choice Award, created to recognise a finalist whose impact was simply too great to overlook. After sparking one of the longest and most passionate debates in our People Awards history, Chef David Jegou, took home the title for his outstanding leadership, infectious passion and game-changing contribution, helping make Grand Central Paris the success it is today.

There was an extra special moment in the room when Isabell Rossi, Account Director at BA Lounges, was announced as the winner of the prestigious BaxterStorey Award. Responsible for one of the biggest and busiest operations in our business, Isabell leads with heart, never losing sight of what matters most – the people around her. She is a shining example of what makes our business special. Reflecting on her win, an emotional Isabell said: “I was completely blown away when Ronan called my name; my heart was racing! It’s such an incredible honour, but this award isn’t just for me. It belongs to all the brilliant general managers and the whole BA team who make what we do possible every day. I was already having the best night, and then this happened!”

A menu worthy of the occasion

No BaxterStorey celebration would be complete without an exceptional food experience. Crafted by our sister company, The Admirable Crichton, guests enjoyed a menu designed to impress from elegant canapes on arrival to a carefully curated feast featuring caramelised artichoke heart with buffalo mozzarella cream, followed by 35-day dry-aged beef sirloin and a braised short rib filo tart.

The dessert station was a highlight of the evening, featuring the winning creation from this year’s Chef Battle-champions, Dom and Maddie. Guests were treated to their now-famous sticky toffee not miso chocolate mousse, a standout dish that impressed judges with its creativity, technical skill and bold flavours.

Celebrations continued with late-night bites and a packed dance floor. Guests danced the night away to pop classics, soul favourites and disco anthems, as live band The Earth Lights brought the energy and rounded off the night in style.

Raising a glass to our winners

As the evening drew to a close, Chris Mitchell took to the stage to thank everyone for their contribution to another remarkable year: “Two years ago, I had the privilege of being part of the judging panel, and I left with a huge admiration for the incredible people across BaxterStorey. To now be standing here as part of the team, celebrating alongside our finalists and winners, makes this evening even more special. To be recognised from 854 nominations is an extraordinary achievement and a reflection of the passion, dedication and impact these individuals and teams bring every day. Their energy, kindness, commitment and drive help define who we are as a business, and it has been a privilege to celebrate their success.”

Our 2026 People Awards winners

BaxterStorey Award – Isabell Rossi, BA Lounges
Chef of the Year – Alex Pach, M&G London
Chef Manager of the Year – Jennifer Edwards, Pirbright Institute
Front of House Star – Rio Garcia, Severn Trent Centre
Gamechanger Award – Steve Wilson, UK Food Team
Kitchen Porter of the Year – Faiz Qurbani, Almac
Leader of the Year – Darren Gilbertson, Operations – Central & Wales
Manager of the Year – Kimberley Macdonald, Aberdeen Football Club
Rising Star – Emma Bourke, Regeneron
Support Champion – Karen Clarke, Sales
Team of the Year – M&G, London
Judge’s Choice Award – David Jegou, Grand Central Paris

Missed the action? Catch the highlights over on our Instagram.