Highland chef Tom Tsappis has been named as a finalist for Hotel Restaurant Chef of the Year at the 2026 Hotel Catey Awards.

The Head Chef and Co Owner of Michelin starred Killiecrankie House is one of four chefs from across the UK shortlisted for the award, with the winner to be revealed in London on 23 November.

Tsappis will compete for the title alongside Adam Degg of Fifty Two at Rudding Park in Harrogate, Jean Delport of Restaurant Interlude in Horsham and Adam Reid of Adam Reid at The French in Manchester.

The recognition puts Killiecrankie House alongside restaurants from across the UK at awards celebrating achievement throughout the hotel industry.

The Hotel Cateys have been running since 2007 and recognise individuals, teams and properties across the sector.

There are 23 categories in the 2026 awards, covering areas including restaurants, housekeeping, front of house, spas and hotel management.

Recipients are nominated and selected by their industry peers, with winners receiving a Catey statue.

For Tsappis, however, the recognition belongs to the wider team at Killiecrankie House rather than one person.

He said:

“Being shortlisted alongside chefs from around the UK is a great way of spotlighting what we’re doing here at Killiecrankie.

“But none of it would be possible without the hard work and dedication of every single member of the team.”

“Everyone pulls together to deliver, whether that’s front of house, the chefs, housekeeping, the gardeners or the management team.

“Without everyone’s input, it wouldn’t work, so this shortlisting is for everyone who plays their part in making Killiecrankie what it is.”

Killiecrankie House operates as a Michelin starred restaurant with rooms.

The shortlist gives Tsappis and the restaurant another opportunity to put their work in front of the wider UK hospitality industry.

The winners will be announced at the Hotel Catey Awards ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London on 23 November.