Peter Avis wins Dalmore Award for Excellence

Peter Avis, restaurant manager of Babylon Restaurant at the Roof Gardens, London as winner of the Dalmore Award for Excellence.

The award is given to an outstanding personality in the hospitality industry by the Academy of Food & Wine in its Annual Awards for Excellence, held on September 24, at Butchers' Hall, London.

Liverpool-born Peter, 34, who also earlier this year became UK Restaurant Manager of the Year 2009 ,was praised for his complete dedication to the role of restaurant manager, his enthusiasm for service and his ability to inspire and lead his team.

David Morgan-Hewitt, managing director of The Goring Hotel, London. Who announced the award said: "He has been a great supporter of the academy and his dedication to the role of restaurant manager and the industry as a whole is an example we hope others follow in the future - he's a fantastic ambassador for this industry,"

Peter, who has worked at the Roof Gardens, owned by Virgin Limited Edition, since 2001, was presented with a bottle of the rare, award-winning highland malt whisky, The Dalmore 40 that now retails at over £1,200.

"It has been an amazing year so far," commented Peter after the presentation. "Since winning Restaurant Manager of the Year I've spent time at Kasbah Tamadot, Virgin Limited Edition's retreat in Morocco, been to Necker Island, our collection's award-winning island, become an ambassador for the National Skills Academy, hosted a masterclass for the Academy of Food & Wine, been invited to speak at the Restaurant Show in October and been the guest of honour at Liverpool College. I've also just returned from doing a 'stage' at Danny Meyer's restaurant group in New York for winning Restaurant Manager of the Year. This accolade, and my time in New York, has really inspired me to keep moving forward with my team and the restaurant and made me realise how much I enjoy working in this amazing industry."

Other winners included; the Academy of Food and Wine's UK Sommelier of the Year 2009, Laura Rhys, head sommelier at Hotel Terra Vina, Hampshire. Rhys won the Savoy Educational Trust Sommelier Scholarship 2009 that goes to someone who has demonstrated dedication and commitment to the art of sommellerie.

• Sommeliers