The future stars of the hospitality sector were recognised this week at the annual National Restaurant Awards Rising Stars awards.
Sponsored by Booker, CORD by Le Cordon Bleu and Square, the NRA Rising Stars Class of 2026 comprises 25 chefs, sommeliers and front of house personnel from restaurants across the UK. Winners of the awards were recognised at a special lunch held at event partner Le Cordon Bleu's Cord Restaurant in London on Monday 23 February 2026.
Three individual category awards were also handed out on the day. The overall winner in the Rising Star front of house category, sponsored by Square, was Becca Lewis, restaurant manager at Bristol-based Korean restaurant Dongnae; the Rising Star award in the chef category, sponsored by Le Cordon Bleu, went to Jamie Keeble, head chef at Joshua and Victoria Overington's Hovingham restaurant Myse; and Maria Boumpa, restaurant manager and wine director at London's Da Terra, was recognised in the sommelier category, sponsored by Booker, for her outstanding wine knowledge.
The Class of 2026
National Restaurant Awards Rising Stars
In early 2026, we announced the National Restaurant Awards Rising Stars 'Class of 2026', shining a spotlight on the rising talent shaping the future of the UK hospitality industry.
