Wednesday June 10th 2026
From left to right Robert Clark, GM of The Leddie with Fraser Short
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
The Leddie in Aberlady is celebrating after restaurant & bar manager Fraser Short was crowned one of the hospitality industry’s brightest rising stars in the prestigious 2026 Acorn Awards, sponsored by CH&Co.
Recognised as one of just 30 of the brightest prospects in the hospitality industry under the age of 30 across the UK, Fraser received the accolade at a special awards ceremony hosted by The Caterer at Swinton Estate in North Yorkshire this week (Monday 8 June).
Fraser was one of only nine hospitality professionals working in Scotland to be recognised in this year’s Acorn Awards, which celebrate the UK’s top 30 rising stars under the age of 30.
Now in its 40th year, the Acorn Awards are regarded as one of the most respected accolades in the hospitality sector, recognising exceptional young talent who are making a significant impact on the industry early in their careers. More than 100 nominations were submitted this year, with winners selected by a panel of industry leaders and former Acorn recipients.
At just 23 years old, Fraser has already enjoyed an impressive career trajectory. Beginning his hospitality journey as a food runner at the age of 16, he progressed through a variety of front-of-house and bar roles before joining the opening management team at The Leddie in early 2024. Since the award-winning boutique 27-bedroom hotel and destination restaurant opened its doors in Aberlady, Fraser has played a key role in establishing the restaurant and bar operation, recruiting and developing team members, and helping to shape the guest experience that has contributed to The Leddie’s growing reputation.
Just 18 months after opening, The Leddie has earned an AA Rosette, been recommended in The Times Top 100 Places to Stay 2025 and established itself as a popular destination for both visitors and the local community.
Fraser has also been recognised for his commitment to training and mentoring colleagues, introducing structured development programmes and supporting team members to achieve professional wine qualifications. His passion for hospitality has helped foster a strong team culture and contributed to the hotel’s success.
Robert Clark, General Manager at The Leddie, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to see Fraser recognised with an Acorn Award. It is one of the hospitality industry’s most prestigious honours and thoroughly deserved. Since joining The Leddie as part of our opening management team, Fraser has played an instrumental role in shaping the restaurant and bar experience and helping establish the reputation we have built in such a short period of time.
“What sets Fraser apart is not only his knowledge and talent, but his natural ability to lead and inspire those around him. He leads from the front, invests in developing his team and genuinely cares about delivering exceptional hospitality. At just 23, this recognition reflects the tremendous impact he has already made on our business and the wider industry, and we couldn’t be prouder.”
Acorn winner Fraser Short, added:
“To be named an Acorn Award winner is a huge honour and something I never imagined when I first started working in hospitality at 16. Looking at the calibre of previous winners and this year’s recipients, it’s incredibly humbling to be recognised alongside so many talented people from across the industry.”
“Hospitality has given me opportunities I could never have imagined, and I’ve been fortunate to work alongside fantastic mentors, colleagues and teams throughout my career. Joining The Leddie from the beginning has been an incredible experience and I’d like to thank the whole team for their support and encouragement. This award is something we can all be proud of.”
The Acorn Awards bring together talent from every corner of the hospitality industry, celebrating future leaders across hotels, restaurants, bars, catering and tourism businesses throughout the UK.
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