Celebrating the 2026 Acorn Award Winners and the Future of Hospitality Talent
The hospitality industry has once again come together to celebrate its brightest rising stars, with the announcement of the 2026 Acorn Award winners by The Caterer, for which Umbrella Training was a supporting partner for the first time.
Each year, the Acorn Awards recognise 30 exceptional individuals under the age of 30 who are already making a significant impact across the sector. Now in its 40th year, the awards continue to highlight the innovation, leadership and passion shaping the future of hospitality.
This year’s winners were selected from a highly competitive pool of over 100 nominations, showcasing the breadth of talent across hotels, restaurants, contract catering and beyond.
Recognising the Next Generation of Leaders
What makes the Acorn Awards so powerful is their ability to bring together talent from across the entire hospitality landscape. From chefs and front-of-house leaders to operational and commercial roles, the awards celebrate individuals who are already demonstrating outstanding leadership and commitment early in their careers.
The winners not only represent the diversity of the industry, but also its future direction, with innovation, adaptability and people-focused leadership at the heart of their achievements.
Why Supporting Young Talent Matters
At Umbrella Training, our mission is closely aligned with the values celebrated by the Acorn Awards. We believe that investing in people at the start of their careers is critical to the long-term success of the hospitality industry.
Our apprenticeship programmes and leadership development pathways are designed to help individuals build the skills, confidence and experience needed to succeed, while supporting employers to grow and develop their teams.
A Personal Perspective
Sam Coulstock, Executive Director – Partnerships & Growth at Umbrella Training and a former Acorn Award winner (2018), shared his perspective:
“Winning an Acorn Award in 2018 was a defining moment in my career. It gave me the confidence, network and recognition to push forward and continue developing as a leader in hospitality.
What makes these awards so important is that they shine a spotlight on the incredible young talent coming through our industry. Hospitality is built on people, and our future depends on how well we nurture, support and invest in them.
At Umbrella Training, we are in a unique position to help shape that future. Through our apprenticeships and leadership programmes, we work closely with employers to develop the next generation of talent, giving them the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.”
Building the Future Together
The Acorn Awards serve as a reminder that the hospitality industry is full of opportunity for those willing to learn, grow and lead. They also reinforce the importance of structured development pathways and strong employer partnerships in unlocking that potential.
At Umbrella Training, we are proud to play our part in this journey, working with employers across the UK to deliver high-quality apprenticeships and training programmes that create meaningful careers and future leaders.
As we celebrate the achievements of the 2026 Acorn winners, we also look ahead with confidence. The future of hospitality is in safe hands, and together, we can continue to develop the talent that will shape it.