Video: Elena Salvoni wins Lifetime Achievement Award at the Cateys

Elena Salvoni was one of the big winners at tonight's Cateys, picking up the Lifetime Achievement Award at the hospitality industry Oscars.

Now in her 90s, Salvoni - who also won the Manager of the Year Catey back in 1996 - has reluctantly retired from Elena's L'Etoile after a lifetime dedicated to restaurant service. However, she continues to be regarded as a beacon of great restaurant service by movers and shakers in the hospitality industry.

Her career has spanned nine decades, starting out aged 14 at Café Bleu in London's Soho before following restaurant manager Joseph Paccino to Bianchi's where she worked for 30 years. Aged 65, Salvoni tried to retire, but her talents were so much in demand that she continued to work for more than two decades, first at L'Escargot and finally at L'Etoile.

More than 1,000 senior decision-makers were witness to the occasion at London's Grosvenor House. They also saw Sara Jayne Stanes, director of the Academy of Culinary Arts, pick up the Special Award for her ongoing work to improve a sector she so clearly loves.

Elsewhere, Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons picked up two Cateys: the Hotel of the Year - Group award and the Manager of the Year Catey, which was awarded to its general manager Philip Newman-Hall.

The inaugural Health and Nutrition Catey went to the Hesley Group in recognition of its commitment to developing food that meets the growing demand for healthier, nutritional eating.

Meanwhile Brett Graham, chef-patron of the Ledbury and co-owner of the Harwood Arms in London, was awarded the prestigious Chef award, while his former mentor, Philip Howard, chef-patron of the Square and co-owner of the Michelin-starred Kitchen W8, won the Restaurateur Independent Catey.

VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE NIGHT ON TABLE TALK >>

VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE NIGHT ON TABLE TALK >>

Cateys 2011: Full list of winners

Best Group Marketing Campaign
Whitbread - Premier Inn

Best Independent Marketing Campaign
The Academy of Food and Wine Service

Best Use of Technology
Dolce

Accessibility Award
Cringletie House Hotel

Restaurateur of the Year - Group
Jonathan Kaye, chief executive officer, Prezzo

Restaurateur of the Year - Independent
Philip Howard, chef-patron of the Square and co-owner of Kitchen W8

Sustainable Business Award
Red Hotels

Education and Training Award
Alberto Crisci, founder/trustee, The Clink Charity

Manager of the Year
Philip Newman-Hall, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons

Health and Nutrition Award
The Hesley Group

Menu of the Year
The Fox and Grapes

Pub and Bar Award
The Garrison

Hotel of the Year - Group
Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons

Hotel of the Year - Independent
Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa

Newcomer Award
Castle Terrace

Public Sector Caterer Award
Derek Johnson, principal catering manager, Leeds City Council

Food Service Caterer Award
Phil Hooper, corporate affairs director, Sodexo

Chef Award
Brett Graham, chef-patron of the Ledbury and co-owner of the Harwood Arms

Special Award
Sara Jayne Stanes, director, Academy of Culinary Arts

Lifetime Achievement Award
Elena Salvoni

By Kerstin Kühn

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