Liverpool Hospitality Association reveals shortlist for its 2025 People Awards which celebrate the talented individuals in the city’s hospitality and retail sector. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool Hospitality Association (LHA) has revealed the shortlist for its 2025 People Awards with the winners set to be announced at the Titanic Hotel in May.

Organised in association with Saffron Vanilla and Liverpool ONE, the People Awards celebrate the talented individuals in Liverpool’s hospitality and retail sector. The awards ceremony will be held at the Titanic Hotel’s Rum Warehouse on Thursday, May 22.

This year’s event featured 16 categories including ‘Rising Star’ and ‘Unsung Hero’, awards for customer-facing staff and those working behind the scenes.

Steven Hesketh, vice-chair of LHA, said: “This has been a fantastic year for the Awards with a 65% increase in nominations which our panel of awards judges have found to be a very inspirational read.

“The judging interviews with our finalists have demonstrated a passion for hospitality and retail, and extremely high standards. This year’s shortlist features 84 talented finalists which is testament to our thriving hospitality and retail sector.

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Others sponsors of the awards include Titanic Hotel and Rum Warehouse, Hospitality Hero, Wrexham Lager, Chance Cider, Liverpool BID Company, MSP Global, The Guide Liverpool, Sugar & Lime, RW Photography, Alliance, Lanson, C&C Group, Bexleys, Brakes, Wellocks, Red Events, Urban Tangerine, The Toni James Experience and Cool Breeze Agency. The finalists are:

Barista of the Year 

• Joel Gardner – Arts Bar Baltic
• Holly Haines – Bold Street Coffee
• Kane Gayle – Crosby Coffee Roasters
• Medi Owen – Joe & the juice

Excellence in Bar Service 

• Connor Robinson – Maldron Hotel Liverpool
• Steven Cunningham – Novotel Paddington Village Liverpool
• Jack Partridge – Pullman Liverpool
• Livie-Mae Cadwallader – The Liner Hotel Liverpool
• Mia Meyler – Titanic Hotel and Rum Warehouse
• Jon Huntley – Whisky & Water, Blackstock Market

Excellence in Food Service 

• Lauren Palmeria – Crowne Plaza Liverpool
• Harry Alexander – Hope Street Hotel
• Richie Grierson – NORD
• Susan Cooper – The Shankly Hotel
• Josh Clark-Newsome – Titanic Hotel and Rum Warehouse

Excellence in Retail 

• Tracy Fearon – Jo Malone London
• Keeley Stenson – Penhaligons
• Jodie Morgan – Red Run

Front of House Award 

• John O’Neil – Allerton Manor Golf Club
• Sophie Scott – Holiday Inn Express Liverpool Royal Albert Dock
• Kathy Cahill – Holiday Inn Liverpool
• Michael Wilkes-  INNSiDE by Melia Liverpool
• Kellie Khan – PREMIER SUITES Liverpool
• Guille Sanchez – Staybridge Suites Liverpool

Heart of House Award 

• Phil Carline – Crowne Plaza Liverpool
• Gary Hemnell – Doubletree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Liverpool
• Elena Cornea – INNSiDE by Melia Liverpool
• Ryley Bennett – Leonardo Hotel Liverpool
• James Pearson – Novotel Paddington Village Liverpool
• Ryan Smith – Titanic Hotel and Rum Warehouse

Rising Star Award 

• Tom Christie-Smith – BOXPARK Liverpool
• Silvia Lovato – Crowne Plaza Liverpool
• Maja Opiela – Delta Hotels by Marriott Liverpool City Centre
• Mark Langan – Holiday Inn Express Liverpool Royal Albert Dock
• Erin Lorimer – Novotel Paddington Village Liverpool
• Millie Humphrey – Sodexo Live! at The ACC Liverpool Group

Unsung Hero Award 

• Jessica Lee – Holiday Inn Liverpool
• Becky Corden – Maldron Hotel Liverpool
• Ian Parry – PREMIER SUITES Liverpool
• Ste Jones – Pullman Liverpool
• Beata Staniszewska – The Shankly Hotel
• Terence Higgs – Titanic Hotel and Rum Warehouse

Head Chef of the Year 

• Eddie McCormack – Allerton Manor Golf Club
• Alex Lawless – Crowne Plaza Liverpool
• Susan Mukome – Delta Hotels by Marriott Liverpool City Centre
• Christina Konstantopoulou – Radissn RED Liverpool
• Andrew Green – The Municipal Hotel & Spa MGallery Liverpool

Chef of the Year 

• Jesus Garcia – Crowne Plaza Liverpool
• Dzhan Shefket – INNSiDE by Melia Liverpool
• Sharrad Davies – Pullman Liverpool
• Matthew Li – The Municipal Hotel & Spa MGallery Liverpool
• Matthew Hogdkiss – Titanic Hotel and Rum Warehouse
• Tharanga Perera – Titanic Hotel and Rum Warehouse

Young Chef of the Year 

• Levi Reid – Pullman Liverpool
• Beth Byrne – Queens Bistro and Wine Bar
• Rodrigo Gonzalez – Radisson RED Liverpool
• Dylan Bentham – Salthouse Tapas

Sales and Revenue Star 

• Daniel Fay – Flight Club Liverpool
• Ruth Sherlock – GSG Hospitality
• Jessica Matthews – Hope Street Hotel
• Brian Churchill – INNSiDE by Melia Liverpool
• Caitlin French – Pullman Liverpool
• Concha Vazquez – Titanic Hotel and Rum Warehouse

Top Team Award 

• Aintree Racecourse Sales Team – Aintree Racecourse
• Blue Energy Team – Hilton Hotel Liverpool
• Events Team – Hope Street Hotel
• Food and Beverage Team – Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
• Front Desk Team at The Liner – The Liner Hotel Liverpool
• Reception Team – The Resident Hotel Liverpool

Manager of the Year 

• Rachel Burke – Leonardo Hotel Liverpool
• Fergus Macdonald – Maldron Hotel Liverpool
• Erin Cass – Maray Restaurants
• Matt Philiskirk – Pullman Liverpool
• Elli Powell – Radisson RED Liverpool
• Danielle Youds – Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
• Helen Byrne – The Municipal Hotel & Spa MGallery Liverpool

There is no shortlist for the Judges’ Choice Award and the Liverpool Hospitality Chairman’s Award, winners of both awards will be announced at the awards ceremony.