Attended by some of the world's most renowned chefs, prominent hoteliers and hospitality gurus, the AA Centenary Awards recognise and reward the excellent services provided by the UK's very best establishments, honouring the finest AA-inspected and rated hotels, restaurants and pubs throughout the UK.

 

This year five renowned AA five rosette chefs – Tom Aikens, Raymond Blanc, David Nicholls, Chris Staines and Marcus Wareing – in conjunction with the Grosvenor House kitchen team, cooked for the 1000 attendees, each chef taking responsibility for one element of the gourmet menu. 

 

AA Hotel Services Manager, Simon Numphud, commented: "We have seen a lot of outstanding candidates this year and the final decisions have been difficult, but we are confident that the best establishments have been selected, they are all deserving winners and should be acknowledged for their quality and excellence."

 

Winners of the AA Centenary Awards 2008 are: 

AA Lifetime Achievement Award: This award recognises a lifetime commitment to the highest quality of service and standards, a track record of constant improvement and an unswerving dedication to customer care.

Winner: Rick Stein – co-owner of four restaurants: The Seafood Restaurant, St Petroc's Bistro, Rick Stein's Café, and Stein's Fish and Chips, as well as a deli, patisserie, gift shop and cookery in Padstow, Cornwall.

AA Chef's Chef of the Year Award: This unique award recognises one chef, voted for by his peers, whose performance over the past 12 months has been no less than outstanding and who has demonstrated a continued commitment to the profession.

Winner: Philip Howard – head chef and co-owner of The Square in Mayfair, and The Ledbury in Notting Hill.

AA Hotel Group of the Year: This award recognises hotel groups that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to improving and developing their portfolio of hotels, whilst maintaining a continued commitment to the profession.

Winner: Q Hotels – a prestigious hotel chain with luxury four-star hotels throughout the UK.

AA Small Hotel Group of the Year: This award recognises small hotel groups that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to improving and developing their portfolio of hotels, whilst maintaining a high level of consistency throughout the group.

Winner: Hotel Du Vin– a range of luxury and boutique hotels in landmark locations around the UK.

 

AA Hotel of the Year: This award is the AA's ultimate accolade for hotels in the UK, and is presented to hotels that are recognized as being outstanding examples in their particular market.

Winner, England: Jesmond Dene House, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Tyne & Wear– a richly historic building offering 40 well-designed luxury rooms.

Winner, Scotland: Norton House Hotel, Edinburgh – a Victorian building that boasts 36 luxurious bedrooms.

Winner, Wales: Lake Country House Hotel & Spa, Llangammarch– a luxury spa hotel set in the heart of Mid Wales.

 

Winner, England: The Royal Oak, Maidenhead, Berkshire- a traditional English pub and dining room owned by Nick and Sir Michael Parkinson.

Winner, London: Scott's Restaurant, - afamous seafood restaurant offering traditional fish and seafood, including a seasonal range of oysters.

Winner, Scotland: The Kitchin, Edinburgh - a waterfront restaurant in Leith that combines seasonal Scottish produce with classical French technique.

Winner, Wales: The Walnut Tree, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire – a famous inn and restaurant since the early 1960s.

AA Pub of the Year: This prestigious award is presented to establishments that stand out as truly excellent all-round pubs, with the provision of enjoyable food, a great pub atmosphere and a high standard of management. 

Winner, England: The Queens Arms, Corton Denham, Somerset – a new style country pub situated in the ancient village of Corton Denham.
Winner, Scotland: The Torridon Inn, Torridon – a proper Highland pub, situated on the shores of Loch Torridon.
Winner, Wales: The Bush Inn, St Hilary – a countryside pub set in the heart of the borders between England and Wales. 

AA Wine Award: This award recognises an outstanding contribution to promoting wine understanding and appreciation, with the winner demonstrating a high quality wine list and the ability to inspire customers to make wider and more adventurous choices in selecting wines.

Winner, England: Ransome's Dock, London – a neighbourhood restaurant with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and an impressive wine list.

Winner, Scotland: The Strathearn at Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire – a grand restaurant serving the finest Scottish dishes and some of the world's best wines.

Winner, Wales: The Crown at Whitebrook, Whitebrook – a smart, modern restaurant with rooms, with over 200 bins on the wine list.

 

AA and Best Practice Forum Business Excellence Award: This individual award recognises excellence through people management practices which have been used to address a particular business challenge, resulting in proven business benefits.

Winner: Gatton Manor Hotel and Golf Club - Created memorable experiences for customers based around first class personal service.