The Midlands Food, Drink & Hospitality Awards 2026 saw double success for ART Hospitality group for both Independent businesses
Celebrating the very best of the Midlands hospitality industry, the awards, held at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham with over 220 finalists competing across 32 categories. The evening was filled with a double success for ART Hospitality, the independent hospitality group where Leaven Pizza was crowned Best Italian Restaurant 2026.
Leaven Pizza previously won the PAPA Award for Best Independent Pizzeria in the UK in 2024 and has been recognised as a finalist at the Italian Awards for two consecutive years. The Hereford-based pizzeria is known for making their fresh sourdough pizza’s, daily on site.
Maneki Ramen, located in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, and the sister brand as part of ART Hospitality was recognised among the region’s best chefs after Matt Nichols, Head Chef of Maneki Ramen on Ludgate Hill, was shortlisted for Chef of the Year at the prestigious Midlands Food, Drink & Hospitality Awards 2026.
Maneki Ramen has quickly established itself as one of the city’s most exciting independent restaurants, serving modern interpretations of Japanese ramen and small plates in a vibrant, contemporary setting.
Whilst Nichols narrowly missed out on taking home the individual title, the recognition highlights the growing reputation of a hospitality group that continues to invest heavily in chef-led businesses and independent restaurant concepts across the Midlands after being shortlisted amongst some of the region’s most respected chefs was recognition of years spent refining his craft.
Nichols is part of ART Hospitality’s Chefpreneur model, which gives chefs and hospitality leaders genuine influence in shaping the businesses they operate and said: “To be shortlisted for Chef of the Year was an incredible honour. Birmingham has one of the most exciting food scenes in the country, so to be recognised alongside so many talented chefs is something I’m really proud of.
Hospitality is always a team effort and this recognition belongs as much to the team around me as it does to me personally. Every day we’re trying to create a restaurant experience that people genuinely want to come back to.”
ART Hospitality Director Dorian Kirk believes the recognition reflects the quality of talent within Birmingham’s hospitality sector and added: “Matt has done an exceptional job at Maneki. He’s one of the most talented chefs I’ve worked with and has played a huge part in establishing Maneki as one of Birmingham’s most exciting independent restaurant brands.
To see him shortlisted for Chef of the Year is fantastic recognition of his hard work, creativity and leadership.”
For ART Hospitality, the success demonstrates the strength of its Chefpreneur approach.
“Whether it’s Matt leading Maneki in Birmingham or Jamin leading Leaven Pizza in Hereford, our philosophy is the same” added Kirk.
“Great restaurants are built by talented people who care deeply about what they do. Our job is to give them the support, autonomy and opportunity to create something special. Seeing both Matt recognised individually and Leaven win such a major award is validation of that approach.”
As Birmingham’s independent hospitality sector continues to evolve, the recognition reinforces Maneki Ramen’s position as one of the city’s standout independent restaurant operators and highlights the calibre of talent helping drive the city’s food scene forward.