Double honours: Meet the four under-30s who won both a 2025 Acorn and a Catey

Only a handful of young hospitality professionals secure both a sought-after Acorn Award and a coveted Catey, but from this year’s cohort, four rising stars achieved the rare double. 

 

The Acorn Awards are the annual celebration of hospitality’s brightest stars, with 30 people under the age of 30 awarded for their career progression and potential, and the Cateys, Foodservice Cateys and Hotel Cateys are the industry’s most coveted awards, given annually to leaders in their respective sectors and judged by their peers.

 

Ellie Olds, Benoit Raffi, Charlotte Karadag and Ellie Dimes, who are all under 30, are not simply ‘ones to watch’, but emerging leaders already shaping the sector’s future.

 

They explain how it feels to achieve this rare double before reaching 30, and the attributes that have led them to already making a meaningful impact.

 

Ellie Olds, company nutritionist, Holroyd Howe

2025 Foodservice Cateys Heathy Eating Champion and 2025 Acorn Award winner

 

 

You’ve achieved what few in the industry ever do – an Acorn and a Catey before turning 30. What does this double recognition mean to you personally and professionally? 

Personally, it feels amazing to have received such recognition by just doing a job I enjoy! Professionally, I hope it shines a spotlight on nutritionists, but also Holroyd Howe, which has supported me every step of the way and given me the platform to grow into the role I’m in today.

 

How have these two awards shaped your confidence and career trajectory?

Winning both awards has given me a real boost in confidence, even if there’s still a touch of imposter syndrome at times. It highlights just how important nutrition is, especially within education and school catering. From a career perspective, it’s encouraged me to aim for the same level of impact and success within the business.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to a 16-year-old starting out in hospitality today, what would it be?

Say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. Be proactive, put yourself forward and seek out the experiences that will help with your growth and development. Most importantly, find something that you enjoy.