Casual Dining Restaurant & Pub Awards 2018 finalists announced

Over 80 restaurant and pub operators from across the UK are now one step closer to being crowned the nation’s best, following the announcement of the Casual Dining Restaurant & Pub Awards shortlist today.

The awards, organised by Diversified Communications UK,recognise and celebrate the standout restaurant and pub operators of the year across the growing multi-billion pound casual dining sector.

Operators up for multiple awards (three or more) include Zizzi, Las Iguanas, ASK Italian, Bistrot Pierre, Brewhouse and Kitchen, Haché, Hubbox, KuPP, The Alchemist, and wagamama. While Azzurri Group, Boparan Restaurant Group, Casual Dining Group, Greene King, Living Ventures, Mitchells & Butlers, Stonegate Pub Company, The Restaurant Group, and Whitbread, are all competing for the title of ‘Casual Dining Group of the Year’ – a new category for 2018.

As in previous years, there’s no shortlist for the prestigious ‘Trailblazer of The Year’ Award – just a winner who will be announced on the night. The awards ceremony will take place from 7pm on 21 February 2018 at the London Marriott Hotel, in Grosvenor Square, following the first day of the Casual Dining trade show.

Casual Dining’s group event director, Chris Brazier, says: “Once again the sheer quality of this year’s awards entries has been outstanding. From the big names to the smaller operators, the 2018 shortlist boasts an extraordinary array of talented, innovative operators who are really driving the sector forward and delivering an incredible casual dining experience. One thing that really stands out is the sheer breadth of choice on offer – consumers have never had so much choice. Congratulations and good luck to all our shortlisted finalists.”

The 2018 award finalists are:

New Casual Dining Concept of the Year – sponsored by Reynolds

Best New Pub / Bar Site – sponsored by Lucozade Ribena Suntory

Best New Restaurant Site – sponsored by Fentimans

Small Employer of the Year (under 20 sites) – sponsored by Commercial Kitchen

Large Employer of the Year (20 sites +)

Menu Innovation Award – sponsored by Essential Cuisine

Marketing Campaign of the Year

Best Designed Pub / Bar of the Year

Best Designed Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year (Under 20 sites)

Best Designed Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year (20 sites +)

Independent Pub of the Year (under 5 sites) – sponsored by Budweiser Budvar UK

Independent Restaurant of the Year (under 5 sites) – sponsored by Casual Dining

Multi-Site Pub Operator of the Year – sponsored by McCain

Small Multi-Site Restaurant Brand of the Year (5-19 sites) – sponsored by Wing Yip

Large Multi-Site Restaurant Brand of the Year (20 Sites +) – sponsored by Coca-Cola European Partners

Casual Dining Group of the Year – sponsored by Carlsberg

Judges for the 2018 awards include Bob Ivell, chairman of Mitchells & Butlers; Karen Forrester, CEO of TGI Friday’s UK; Mark Fox, CEO of Bill’s; Keith Bird, COO at GBK; and Kate Nicholls, chief executive of The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers.

For further information, please visit www.cdawards.co.uk.

Save the date for Casual Dining 2018

To register to attend the Casual Dining trade show, taking place at the Business Design Centre in London next year, please visit www.casualdiningshow.co.uk and quote priority code CD5 (direct link: https://eventdata.uk/Visitor/CasualDining.aspx?TrackingCode=CD5).

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Media enquiries to:

Please apply for press accreditation to Casual Dining show here: https://eventdata.uk/Press/CasualDining.aspx

Emma-Louise Jones, Head of PR

t: +44 (0)1273 645134

e: ejones@divcom.co.uk

Website: www.divcom.co.uk

Twitter: www.twitter.com/DiversifiedUK

Katrina Randall, Senior Marketing Executive

t: +44 (0)1273 645139

e: krandall@divcom.co.uk

Sponsorship enquiries to:

Eva Ellis, Sales Manager

t: +44 (0)1273 645167

Website: www.cdawards.co.uk

Twitter: www.twitter.com/casdiningawards

Chris Brazier, Group Event Director

t: +44 (0)1273 645123

e: cbrazier@divcom.co.uk