Adam Smith (Team UK 2009) and Adam Pierson (Team UK 2003) both picked up coveted awards at this year's annual Acorn Awards Ceremony which was held at Cosworth Park Hotel, Ascot on 23 May.
 

The Caterer and Hotel Keeper Acorn Awards, which celebrate their silver anniversary this year, recognise the hospitality industry's brightest stars under the age of 30. Since the launch of the Awards in 1987, some of the most celebrated names in catering - Gary Rhodes, Marcus Wareing, Marco Pierre White and Jason Atherton - have proudly picked up Awards.
 

30 of hospitality's current brightest young stars gathered at the 5* Cosworth Park, the latest hotel in The Dorchester Collection, for this year's celebrations. This year's 30 successful individuals take the number of Acorn Award winners up to a grand total of 750 - all who are outstanding performers in their chosen areas of the industry.
 

Adam Pierson (Sous Chef at Claridges), was nominated by his Executive Chef at Claridges, Martyn Nail, who said: "Through his career, Adam has accumulated numerous awards and accolades. In 2003 he represented the UK in the WorldSkills competition in Switzerland where he gained a medallion of excellence."
 

Adam Smith's (Premier Sous Chef, The Ritz Hotel), nomination was made by Peter Griffiths MBE from the Craft Guild of Chefs. Peter said: "Adam a true cook, with passion, drive and a love of good food. These qualities saw him scoop a gold medal for the UK at WorldSkills 2009 in Calgary."
 

All 30 winners were joined by their nominators for a celebratory lunch which concluded with a speech by Simon Hulstone, chef-proprietor of the Michelin-starred Elephant restaurant in Torquay, and a former Acorn winner in 1996 when he was just 21 years old. Simon is also a member of the WorldSkills, UK Alumni and the only other UK chef to have won Gold at WorldSkills, in 1995.
 

For more information about the Caterer and Hotel keeper Acorn Awards visit www.caterersearch.com
 

Picture caption: Adam Smith (Premier Sous Chef, The Ritz Hotel) and Adam Pierson (Sous Chef at Claridges)