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Last year's winner, Tim Bacon, the man behind the successful Living Ventures bar business, once dreamed of finding fame in his native Australia as an actor. Luckily for us he put that particular dream on hold and moved to the UK, where he pursued another dream, this time making his mark in the bar industry, after time spent at TGI Friday's.

Back in 1996, Bacon launched Life Restaurants with business partner Jeremy Roberts. Selling the business to Marstons and Whitbread, the pair formed Living Ventures in October 1999 and opened the first Living Room bar in Manchester in December of that year. It took more than £1.9m in its first year and put Bacon on the path to a Catey statue.

Up to receiving his Catey in July last year - a complete surprise, as he had no idea he had even been nominated - Bacon had been a busy man turning the business into a national player.

In March 2004 the company attracted the interest of The Restaurant Group, which bought a 40% stake in the company and sold it the Est Est Est restaurant chain in a reciprocal deal.

"It is without a doubt a great honour to win a Catey," Bacon says. "The response from colleagues reflected this. It helps validate our position in the industry and acts as a symbol of recognition for everyone who works in the team."

The Living Ventures co-founder is first and foremost proud of the product he has in the marketplace. Last year's judges recognised this, as well as the vitality and the high standards of the UK-based sites, which also encompass the Mosquito, Prohibition and Bar & Grill brands.

John Hoskins, managing director of Huntsbridge, who won the award in 2004 and was one of the 2005 judges, said of Bacon and his business: "Living Ventures remains new, different and exciting. No one else is doing this sort of thing at the moment."

Caterer invites previous winners to join the judging panels for next year's awards and Bacon said he would be looking for a successor with the same high levels of commitment, passion and endeavour.

Judges' criteria

The Pub  and Bar Industry Award will go to an individual who:

• Is involved in running a group operation and has been successful in pub retailing through innovation and vision.
• Through achievements in the past year has demonstrated consistency of product and service, which can ben drink- or food-related, or both.
• Provides an example of excellence to the pub industry.