The OXINABOX FOOD AWARDS are back! We will be celebrating our sixth OXINABOX FOOD AWARDSceremony at The North Wall on June 29, with a fabulous after party at OXTWO in Summertown, and the famous ‘morning after’ breakfast at Dishoom on June 30 in Oxford.
Sponsored by headliners Wise Investment, Jolly Foods, The Oxford Collection and SOMA Collab, as well as Oxford Fine Dining, Grape Minds, Dishoom and Tap Social, the voting has kicked off spectacularly, with a different category released every day.
Here to give Oxfordshire’s hospitality industry a much needed boost, a massive pat on the back and the recognition and attention it deserves after such a difficult year, we have really pushed the boat out. And all we need you to do is vote for your favourites.
So welcome to the OXINABOX FOOD AWARDS 2026 and here is our tenth category OXFORDSHIRE HOSPITALITY WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2026. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
In alphabetical order, the OXFORDSHIRE HOSPITALITY WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2026 nominees are:
Aimee Collins – Five Little Pigs, Wallingford and The Bear in North Moreton – It’s not easy running a restaurant, pub and a family, but Aimee takes it in her stridenot only does Aimee’s food set her apart with her beautifully nostalgic and novel menus, but her passion for sustainability and seasonality runs through everything she does, which is no doubt why Five Little Pigs is in the Michelin Guide and The Good Food Guide. She also ensures that her local community is involved in everything she does from pop-ups to cocktails on the clumps, festival catering and foraging. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Ashleigh Ferrand, Kingham Plough – taking on the role of head chef aged just 23 at such a prestigious pub was always going to be a big deal, but Ashleigh has made it her own. She entered Great British Menu to encourage other young women into the industry and is doing a great job of demonstrating why. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Beccy Webb, Chester Arms, East Oxford – The Chester’s notoriety and constant popularity shows no signs of waning thanks to the devotion Beccy gives to this East Oxford favourite where the punters queue down the road for their famous steak platters and Sunday roasts. Run like clockwork, its community vibe and friendly atmosphere are a credit. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Bex Harris, Toro, Burford. Helped transform a gastropub into an excellent and thriving restaurant having spotted a gap in the market for something different but no less upmarket in the Cotswold town, introducing the authentic and stylish tapas restaurant, which has since proved a winning formula. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Catriona Galbraith, The Greyhound, Letcombe Regis – opening a gastropub in a tiny village in Oxfordshire and putting it firmly on the culinary map is no mean feat, but its reputation proceeds it thanks to Catriona’s constant vigil and determination, its homely, historic vibe matched by the stunning food. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Claire Alexander, Killingworth Castle, Wootton – taking on a dilapidated pub with her husband Jim and turning it into an award-winning hostelry is no mean feat, but keeping it at the top of its game is quite another, which, in the current climate, is a huge achievement. More than that she keeps it current, with awards, accolades and mentions in the Sunday papers a constant. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Claire Lenkowiec, Alberto’s, Chipping Norton – Having fulfilled a lifelong dream of opening their own restaurant, Claire runs the front of house while her partner Valerio Grimaldi-Plant is in the kitchen. The pair met at The George in Barford St Michael and Claire’s hospitality experience and warm welcome is the perfect foil for his Italian cuisine. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Fanny Clemente, Il Corno, Oxford – Fanny saw a gap in the market and went for it. The fact that she was an Italian student studying in Oxford didn’t deter her and with lots of help from her family, she opened Il Corno in Oxford’s Covered Market to celebrate her beloved Naples, slowly cementing her place with a fascinating series of events and talks to broaden all of our minds. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Florence Fowler, Magdalen Arms, East Oxford – Opening one of the first gastropubs in the country and keeping it relevant is hard work, but with the Cowley stalwart flourishing, Florence is the one who keeps the wheels turning, her other half Tony in the kitchens working his magic. An Oxford legend. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Imogen North, The Nut Tree, Murcott – Has been running the Michelin starred gastropub along with her husband Mike for around 20 years. And while Mike’s cooking has put it on the map, Imogen steers the ship, and as we know you can’t have one without the other! A star in her own right. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Julie Dutson-Steinfeld, Duck On The Pond, South Newington – part of the husband and wife team that has made this such a culinary success, Julie ensures that while Hendrik is in the kitchens letting his gastronomic creativity loose, their guests are having the best possible experience, the gastropub running like clockwork. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Julie Kleeman, Taste Tibet, East Oxford – Julie has vision, determination and imagination. So when opening on Cowley Road with her husband Yeshi, she innately understood that Tibetan food was still largely unknown and she could remedy that nationally. The ensuing cookery book, TV appearances and festival pop-ups prove our point. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Katie Beamish, one half of the team running The Kingham Plough, The Hare at Milton-under-Wychwood, The Crown at Church Enstone, and the newly opened The Norman Knight in Whichford with her husband Matt, Katie is brilliant at transforming pubs into award winning premises and making sure they are viable and welcoming. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Kay Chandler, White Hart, Fyfield – another doyenne in the culinary field, Kay ensures that this award-winning pub never rests on its laurels and stays at the top of its game. Its continual excellence and slick operation is largely a result of Kay’s continual enthusiasm and work ethic. She always has a smile on her face and a new idea up her sleeve. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Ladd Thurston, Oli’s Thai, East Oxford – Having closed Oli’s Thai with her husband Rufus to spend more time with their family, now that her children are older she’s back in the kitchen and making up for lost time, and we can’t get enough of her infamous Thai menus judging by the waiting lists for a table. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Laura Wiedemann, Pompette, Summertown. Since opening in 2018, Laura mans the fort while her husband Pascal runs the kitchens. Responsible for the design as well as the daily management, she has ensured that this vibrant restaurant and its Alsace-Lorraine style of cooking remains as popular as ever. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Luciana Gyuricza has so many balls to juggle – Sartorelli’s, Market Cellar and Teardrop in Oxford’s Covered Market, Fire & Wine in Milton-under-Wychwood and Church Hanbrewery – yet her ability to constantly evolve and seize new opportunities with both hands has enabled the micro-brewery to expand immeasurably, without losing its local ethos and family bent. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Lula Kinnaird, Lula’s Ethiopian, Oxford – Brought an entirely novel and largely unknown cuisine to Oxford city centre with great style and determination, and then opened a new premises in Oxford’s Covered market to seal the deal. Passionate about spreading her culture and its cuisine far and wide, nothing can stop her when her minds set on something. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Mariella Montenegro and Bethany Taylor, Las Chicas, Faringdon. Owner Mariella Montenegro and her team share a passion for Mediterranean and Latin American food and drink, and together with Beth (who’s been cooking professionally since she was 14) have created a fun and booming tapas business which has won several of our OXINABOX FOOD AWARDS. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Oxford Fine Dining’s Sue Randall, Della Hutton, Norma Bennett and Melissa Bennett. The four female directors of this incredibly successful events catering company prove what a great collective of forward thinking and committed women can do. Not only do they look after their staff, but their stellar and sophisticated offering is run with calm efficiency and great humour, their attention to detail and continual ability to evolve enabling OFD to remain continually relevant. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Phoebe Hall, The Edge, Witney – anyone who has eaten at The Edge will have fallen in love with Phoebe’s adventurous, vibrant and fearless global street food. Having returned from her travels and inspired by the international flavours she opened her own place with her partner Tom, taking pride of place in the kitchens. And having opened The Edge Deli in a nearby business park, goes from strength-to-strength. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Priya Watson, The Golden Ball, Lower Assendon – worked as front of house at Jason Atherton’s Little Social, The Square, Gymkhana and Brigadiers before opening up shop with her husband Ben, it’s proving a winning combination, especially as the menu is a mix of the two, her Punjabi influences and effortless hospitality really making them stand out in a county flooded with gastropubs. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Rebecca Mofford, The Oxford Collection – pivotal to the ongoing success of Gees, Quod, Old Parsonage and The Old Bank Hotel, as Director of Operations she ensures the smooth running of some of Oxford’s most revered institutions with a calm, friendly and stylish demeanour that belies the hugely professional role. One of Oxford’s best. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Sandra Ruge, Waste2Taste – Where to start? One of life’s best people, she not only heads up the inspiring food waste charity, but cooks like an angel, ensures the business washes its own face and has a kind word for everyone she comes across. Indefatigable, brave and fearless she is an asset to Oxfordshire. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Shannon Mulholland, Nest, The Feathers. Cooking her heart out with her partner head chef Luke Rawicki, balancing the culinary scales with her dexterity and focus, as an expert sous chef she brings a novel, refined element to the fine dining table – proving that two minds are better than one. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
Tess Taylor, Tap Social – another champion of the industry, as the original founder of Tap Social and instigator of its ongoing expansion, her work to rehabilitate prisoners and make a difference, as well as providing us with some mighty fine bakeries, bars and beer continues without any fuss or bother, despite the incredible difference Tap makes to the world and its determination to change the status quo. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
There are 10 categories and we will be announcing one every day for the next 10 days. These include BEST NEWCOMER, BEST PUB/BAR, BEST CAFE, BEST RESTAURANT, BEST VEGGIE/VEGAN OFFERING, BEST CHEF, BEST GASTROPUB, BEST CASUAL DINING, BEST INTERNATIONAL and OXFORDSHIRE HOSPITALITY WOMAN OF THE YEAR
The top four nominations from each category will be invited to the glittering ceremony where the winners will be announced, so get voting and pick your favourite.
You can only vote once in each category, so keep voting every day in all 10 categories! Voting ends mid June. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/udquhcgd
