Estelle Manor star named restaurant manager of the year

Joshua Oliver Ndirmbita has been crowned the Institute of Hospitality’s Restaurant Manager of the Year 2026.

Following a day of competition at Hotel Café Royal in London, the restaurant manager at Estelle Manor, Oxfordshire, took home the title. 

Alessandro Passaglia, restaurant manager at Aviator, Hampshire, was named runner-up.

Ndirmbita (pictured), who finished runner-up in the competition in 2025, was announced as the winner by Institute of Hospitality chief executive Robert Richardson during the winner’s reception.

"This competition continues to highlight just how skilled and influential restaurant managers are within hospitality businesses," says Richardson. "The depth of talent coming through gives us real confidence in the future of the industry. Joshua is a shining example of how this competition can impact a person’s career and their confidence. He is indeed a very worthy winner."

What happened at the final?

Designed to reflect the realities of modern restaurant management, finalists were assessed on leadership and people management, future thinking for hospitality, guest engagement and commercial decision making.

The day also included an educational masterclass delivered by Laurent-Perrier Champagne, alongside financial and staffing based challenges.

Following the daytime assessments, four finalists progressed to the live final, where they completed two final tasks in front of an audience of industry peers, guests, family and friends, before judges finalised and independently verified the scores and announced Ndirmbita as the Institute’s 17th Restaurant Manager of the Year.

“I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, my colleagues, my mentors and the Institute," he says. "I stood on this stage last year as runner-up, and winning this title is special, but what really matters is the people you meet, the connections you build and the confidence you gain along the way."

As part of his recognition, Ndirmbita will receive one year of Institute of Hospitality membership, a tailored professional development programme and mentoring support, alongside invitations to key industry events and a range of hospitality experiences. These include a night at Gleneagles with dinner and bed and breakfast, an overnight stay in the Level at Meliá White House with an afternoon tea hamper for two, an overnight stay in a Leonardo Hotel, a private Belmond boat experience on the Thames with afternoon tea and a butler-led tour of Cliveden House, a traditional afternoon tea for two at Corinthia London, and complimentary Aspire lounge passes with an operational visit.

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