Raymond Blanc scoops AA Lifetime Achievement Award

The event, which took place at the London Hilton on Park Lane, recognises and rewards the excellent services provided by the UK's very best establishments, honouring the AA-inspected and rated hotels, restaurants and pubs throughout the UK. Raymond said: "I am thrilled and honoured to have received this prestigious award from the AA Hospitality Awards. 2009 is a momentous year for me and my team at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, as we celebrate our silver anniversary – 25 years of providing a unique experience to each and every guest we have entertained over the years." AA Hotel Services Group area manager Giovanna Grossi added: "We selected Raymond Blanc for the Lifetime Achievement Award because his passion for food, his respect for chefs and staff alike and his humble manner has clearly influenced our industry; he is one of the most liked and respected icons the hospitality industry has seen over the last 25 years and is truly deserving of this highest accolade." Other winners were: AA Hotel Group of the Year – von Essen hotels AA Small Hotel Group of the Year – Exclusive Hotels AA Hotel of the Year England – Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa, North Yorkshire AA Hotel of the Year Scotland – The Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire AA Hotel of the Year Wales – Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel, Snowdonia National Park AA Hotel of the Year London – The Connaught, Mayfair AA Restaurant of the Year England - Purnell's, Birmingham AA Restaurant of the Year Scotland - Plumed Horse, Leith - Edinburgh AA Restaurant of the Year Wales - Y Polyn, Carmarthenshire AA Restaurant of the Year London - Corrigan's Mayfair, Mayfair AA Pub of the Year England – The Trout at Tadpole Bridge, Faringdon - Oxfordshire AA Pub of the Year Scotland – The Inn at Inverbeg, Luss - Glasgow AA Pub of the Year Wales - The Queens Head, Llandudno AA Wine Award England – The Old Bridge Hotel, Huntingdon - Cambridgeshire AA Wine Award Scotland – The Cross at Kingussie, Kingussie AA Wine Award Wales - The Bell at Skenfrith, Skenfrith - Monmouthshire AA Chefs' Chef of the Year Award – Marcus Wareing AA 5 Rosette – Restaurant Sat Bains, Nottingham AA 4 Rosette – Hibiscus, London; The Connaught Hotel, London; and The Latymer at Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa, Bagshot