Horwood House Hotel Wins Three Awards at International Salon Culinaire 2026

Buckinghamshire, April 2026 — Horwood House Hotel, a 160-room country house property near Milton Keynes, has secured three awards at the International Salon Culinaire 2026, with members of its pastry team recognised across multiple competition categories.

The wins were achieved during the three-day culinary event, which brought together chefs and hospitality professionals from across the UK to compete in a range of live and static challenges. The recognition highlights the hotel’s ongoing investment in culinary operations and talent development within its food and beverage division.

Pastry team secures three awards across categories

Horwood House’s pastry department was awarded across three distinct categories at the competition. Pastry Chef Rishitha Liyange received the highest recognition, winning Best in Class in the Petit Fours category. Head Pastry Chef Dilip Kumara secured a Bronze award in the Dessert Course Plate category, while Pastry Chef Chloe Matthews was awarded a Merit in the Junior Tea Pastries segment.

The awards reflect individual achievements within the team, while also indicating the overall performance standard maintained by the hotel’s culinary department. The competition’s organisers noted a high level of participation and quality across entries, underscoring the significance of the recognition.

International Salon Culinaire draws UK hospitality talent

The International Salon Culinaire is regarded as one of the UK’s prominent culinary competitions, attracting a wide pool of professional chefs and hospitality practitioners. The event evaluates participants through a series of judged challenges, covering both technical execution and presentation.

The 2026 edition continued this format, with entries assessed across multiple culinary disciplines. The competition serves as a platform for professionals to demonstrate skills, gain industry recognition, and benchmark performance against peers within the sector.

For participating hotels, awards from the competition contribute to brand positioning and reinforce culinary credibility within a competitive hospitality landscape.

Horwood House expands focus on F&B excellence

The results come as Horwood House continues to strengthen its food and beverage offering as part of a broader operational strategy. The hotel operates 160 bedrooms and suites, alongside 15 meeting and event spaces, positioning it as both a leisure and conference destination.

Its dining portfolio includes Harry’s Bar & Kitchen, supported by additional wellness and leisure facilities such as H Spa. The recognition at a national culinary event aligns with the property’s efforts to enhance guest experience through quality-driven F&B services.

Management indicated that the awards reflect not only individual skill but also the collective capability of the kitchen team, which contributes to the hotel’s overall service delivery.

Recognition supports positioning in regional market

Located in Little Horwood near Milton Keynes, Horwood House operates within the competitive Buckinghamshire hospitality market, catering to a mix of corporate, events, and leisure demand. Culinary recognition plays a role in differentiating properties within this segment, particularly where dining and events form a significant part of revenue streams.

The hotel’s continued investment in talent and operational quality is aimed at strengthening its market position as a destination for both accommodation and events, including weddings and conferences.

Industry competitions such as the International Salon Culinaire provide measurable benchmarks for such investments, offering visibility and validation for participating establishments.

Team performance highlights operational depth

The recognition of three team members across different award categories indicates depth within the pastry department, spanning senior and junior roles. This distribution reflects structured team development and training, which is increasingly important in maintaining consistency in hospitality operations.

Such achievements also contribute to staff engagement and retention, particularly in a sector where skilled culinary professionals remain in high demand. The awards further reinforce the importance of continuous skill development and participation in industry platforms.

With the latest accolades, Horwood House adds to its operational credentials, leveraging culinary recognition as part of its broader hospitality offering while maintaining focus on service quality and guest experience.