Blog. Back to the Floor 7: A record-breaking triumph!
March 23, 2026 | Author Sophie Dodsworth
Last Friday, Back to the Floor made a spectacular return, raising a record-breaking £405,000!
Our seventh Back to the Floor, co-founded by Danny Pecorelli, Managing Director at Exclusive Collection was hosted by James B. Clarke, General Manager at London Hilton on Park Lane. The event saw over 100 senior hospitality leaders swap their boardrooms for the ballroom floor, returning to their roots as waiters and sommeliers for one unforgettable evening. The incredible turnout once again highlighted the strength, generosity, and unity of the hospitality community.
More than 600 guests were treated to an evening of exceptional silver service, as industry leaders pulled out all the stops in a lively and competitive bid to earn the most tips - every penny going directly towards supporting hospitality workers in crisis. From playful banter and table-side theatrics to good-natured mischief, the atmosphere was electric throughout the evening, alongside a luxurious three-course meal.
Among the standout performers of the night, Tej Walia, Managing Director at Foxhills Club & Resort, was crowned top tipper, raising an incredible £20,269. Followed by Danny Pecorelli at £10,490 and James-Hiley Jones, Executive Director at ClearSense Ventures at £8,540.
What began in 2013 with just 20 waiters and 160 guests has grown into one of the most anticipated events in the hospitality calendar. This year's sold-out event welcomed a host of leading names from across the industry, all stepping onto the floor in support of HA.
The 2026 event also marked a major milestone, with total funds raised across all seven Back to the Floor events surpassing £1 million - cementing its place as Hospitality Action's most successful fundraising initiative in history.
Mark Lewis, Chief Executive of Hospitality Action, said:
“Sometimes I have to pinch myself because when I look around at extraordinary events like this, I am in total awe of the willingness of so many people coming together for the greater good. We are incredibly lucky to work in such an energised and vibrant industry, and the eagerness to support our own is palpable.
Hospitality is an industry that so many people love being part of, but for others it can also present real challenges. It is for those colleagues that Hospitality Action exists, and we will never stop continuing to provide the support, care and assistance they need when times get tough.”
Danny Pecorelli said: “Back to the Floor was an extraordinary night and one I’ll remember forever. I’m hugely grateful to every waiter, sommelier, sponsor, donor and guest who helped raise such an incredible amount. The generosity and energy in the room were remarkable, and the funds raised will make a real, life-changing difference for so many.”
Heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this year's Back to the Floor such a phenomenal success, including our host London Hilton on Park Lane and all of our generous sponsors and supporters.
With special thanks to our Gold sponsor St Giles Group; Silver sponsors Allan Reeder, American Express, Exclusive Collection, Farncombe Estate, Little Bill Laundry, Molton Brown, One Aldwych, Sona and The PIG Hotels; and Bronze sponsors Caterer.com, James Hallam, Luxury Leisure Group, The Fork, UKHospitality and Umbrella Training.
We are also incredibly grateful to our event food and drink sponsors Champagne Taittinger, Louis Jadot, Errazuriz Wines, Hatch Mansfield, Fonteviva and Bidfood for helping make the evening truly unforgettable. Our water sponsor, Fonteviva, is generously donating £1 per case to Hospitality Action for every order placed after the event. To support this initiative, you can order your cases by emailing paul@fonteviva.co.uk and quoting “Hospitality Action.”
A huge thank you as well to our fantastic compère, Peter Hancock, photographer Jeremy Rata, and the team at Hospitality Media for capturing the night so brilliantly.
See you all in 2028 for Back to the Floor 8!
