A person in a suit smoking and wearing glasses in a dimly lit bar setting with a wine glass visible.

Tom Parker Bowles Hosts The Annual Celebration For Cigar Lovers


What could inspire Ray Winstone, Piers Morgan and Lord Carnavon to brave a chilly winter night and gather in Canary Wharf? Their love of cigars. 


For 11 years, Boisdale has hosted the Cigar Smoker of the Year Dinner and Awards. This year’s celebration was one the best yet and I was there to photograph it. The list of well known faces on the other side of my camera was endless: Tamer Hassan, James Cosmo, Paul Oakenfold, Tom Parker Bowles to name a few. As a lifelong Frasier fan, I was personally a little star struck meeting Kelsey Grammer. 

A speaker at a podium during an awards ceremony with event sponsor banners visible in the background.
A formal event attendee posing on the red carpet with sponsor logos visible on the backdrop.
Three men in formal attire pose together at an event with a branded purple backdrop.

Smoking cigars is a ritual that encourages relaxation and reflection, offering a sense of timelessness and indulgence. Sharing a cigar creates a social bond, as people come together to enjoy the experience, exchange stories, and connect over a mutual appreciation for the craft and tradition behind it. And that’s what this evening is all about - a little indulgence, friendship and enjoying time with friends.

A person engaging in animated conversation at a restaurant table with wine glasses visible.
A couple in formal attire poses enthusiastically against a purple step-and-repeat backdrop.
A performer in a sparkly dress plays piano on stage in blue lighting.
Diners engaged in conversation around a table with drinks in an elegant restaurant setting.
A performer in a bright red wig and black feathered costume sings on stage at the Boisdale venue.
A cabaret performance at Boisdale featuring a singer in red wig with band members in background.
A speaker at the Boisdale Smoker of the Year 2024 event stands at wooden podium.
A speaker addresses audience from podium at Boisdale awards ceremony with sponsor logos behind.
A formal event attendee in black tie holds champagne glass in dimly lit venue.
A performer in red sequined jacket and bowtie reclines dramatically under atmospheric lighting.
Silhouetted profile view of someone smoking a cigar in moody lighting.
Close-up profile shot of cigar smoking in atmospheric lighting.
Event attendee in brown fedora and scarf enjoys cigar in red-tinted lighting.
An energetic awards ceremony moment at Boisdale with sponsor backdrop visible.
Well-dressed attendee poses at Smoker of the Year 2024 event in front of purple sponsor backdrop.
Three guests in formal attire pose together at the Smoker of the Year 2024 awards ceremony.
Attendee in black bow tie and tuxedo smiles at Smoker of the Year 2024 event.
Guest wearing red jacket and scarf poses at formal cigar industry event.
Black and white portrait of photographer in turtleneck holding vintage camera against white background.

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Several luxury brand and company logos arranged in a horizontal row.