In picking a winner for the Newcomer of the Year award it may appear that Caterer & Hotelkeeper is putting its neck on the block on an annual basis. The main raison d'être of this Catey is, after all, to identify new industry leaders. But really it's the recipient of this accolade who will have taken the bigger risk, because one of the things that unites all past winners is their willingness to put themselves and their new businesses on the line financially.
The owner of Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles certainly did that. Fairlie was a renowned chef, respected by his peers, but two years ago he took a big gamble and committed £115,000 of his own money to setting up an independent restaurant within the world-famous Gleneagles hotel in Perthshire.
There was no guarantee that people would make the journey just for the privilege of eating Fairlie's food. The hotel didn't have a reputation as a gourmet's paradise, and by putting his own name and money to the venture Fairlie was making himself responsible for the livelihood of 16 members of staff.
Like other past winners of the award - it can, incidentally, go to either someone genuinely at the beginning of their career or a new business operated by a first-time restaurateur or hotelier - Fairlie quickly established a reputation for quality in service and food, a fact recognised not only by the Catey judges but also by other award panels, including Michelin.
Yet, because the Catey was bestowed on him by his industry peers, he rates it higher even than the Red Guide accolade. "It wasn't just the cooking that won it for us. It was the financial side, service - everything," he said later.
Do you know a potential winner of the 2003 Newcomer of the Year award? If you think so, here's the mental check list that you need to run through before filling in the form. The recipient can come from any sector of the industry and can be an individual, a group of people or a business itself; but the winner must demonstrate flair, talent (of course), the astute identification of a market niche, and some indication of financial acumen. Those behind the business will not have operated a hospitality business before, and the business itself must not have existed for more than three years.
Judges' criteria
The Newcomer of the Year Catey is open to all entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry who have seized an opportunity and made a name for themselves. The winner will:
* Run a business that will have been operating for fewer than three years on 1 July 2003; and
* Have established a reputation for quality and service.
This year's winner will be announced at the Catey Awards on Tuesday 1st July.
Previous Winners:
2002 Andrew Fairlie
2001 Brownes Brasserie and Townhouse, Dublin
2000 Coniston Hall Lodge and Restaurant, North Yorkshire
1999 Club Gascon
1998 The Star Inn, Harome
1997 The Bank, London
1996 Hotel du Vin & Bistro, Winchester
1995 Gordon Ramsay
1994 The Atrium, Edinburgh
1993 Morston Hall, Morston
1992 Paul Heathcote
1991 Paul & Jeanne Rankin
1990 Stuart Scher
1989 Nick Wainford
1988 David & Tina Thomson
1987 Marco Pierre White
1986 Calcot Manor, Tetbury
1985 Rue St Jacques, London
1984 Keith and Vanessa Gibbs
Sponsored by: Christie Group plc
Sponsor message:
As part of our commitment to the UK hotel and catering industry, Christie Group is proud to have been one of the original sponsors of the Catey Awards since 1984.
Like both the Cateys and the past winners of the Newcomer of the Year award, Christie Group has grown over the years. Founded in 1935, our business has developed into a number of companies, each one a specialist within its own area of operation. Providing services across the world through our offices in the UK, Canada, France, Germany and Spain, Christie Group has become a truly global player in the hospitality sector.
* Christie & Co is the UK's leading firm in valuation and agency services for hotels, restaurants, public houses and leisure businesses.
* RCC is the market leader in finance and insurance for the hospitality sector.
* Venners provides the hospitality and retail sectors with stock auditing and inventory services.
* VCS Timeless specialises in EPoS and site management software, for clients managing retail and hospitality operations either nationally or internationally. Designers and suppliers of interactive Internet and public access kiosks.