A team of talented young hospitality professionals from The Academy by Simon Rogan triumphed at prestigious national awards.
The trio were named Young Restaurant Team of the Year 2025.
The winning team included Maddie Bate, head waiter at Rogan & Co, Hope Ryall-Thurlow and Kyras Samson, both commis chefs at Henrock.
Mentored by Umbel Restaurant Group assistant operations manager Kayleigh Thorogood, the trio showcased their exceptional skills in front-of-house service, culinary creativity, and teamwork, ultimately claiming the competition’s top honour.
The Academy also won the Best Dish Award and the Best Mocktail Award.
The winners were announced during a gala dinner following the Skills for Chefs Conference held earlier that day.
The annual competition, launched in 2012, challenges teams of hospitality professionals aged 21 and under to deliver a complete fine dining experience, running a live restaurant service for guests and a panel of judges.
Each team is comprised of two chefs and one front-of-house member who also takes on sommelier responsibilities, all under the guidance of an industry mentor in the build-up to the competition.
This year’s brief invited teams to design a three-course menu celebrating the evolution of modern British cuisine and seasonal British produce, including lemon sole from Scotland, British lamb, and a rhubarb-based dessert.
