Members of the Care Catering sector were recognised at the 2024 Public Sector Catering Awards, which took place on 4th April at the London Hilton Metropole. The awards recognise outstanding contributions to the industry.
Care Catering Award Shortlist and Winners
Care UK Food and Hotel Services walked away with the Care Catering Award, sponsored by Cereal Partners. The shortlist also included:
- Aaron Derbyshire – Rose Court Care Home, HC-One
- Rachel Keys – HC-One
- Jane Mardle – TNS Catering – Friends of the Elderly
- Eleanor MacPherson – Balcarres Care Home, HC-One
- Ben Smith – Averill House Care Home, HC-One
- Edgbaston Manor Catering Team – Care UK
Another notable winner on the evening was Andrew Cullum of Avery Healthcare, whose homes provide residential, dementia and nursing care services throughout the UK, received the Training & Apprenticeship Award.
Other care caterers were shortlisted in the following categories:
- Catering Manager of the Year Award Sponsored by Rational – Jody Marshall – Meallmore Limited
- Chef of the Year Award Sponsored by Unox – Stuart Pelham – Llys Cyncoed, Care UK
- Contract Caterer of the Year Sponsored by Lockhart Aggora – Signature Dining Ltd
- Marketing Award Sponsored by Wafflemeister – Harrogate Neighbours Meals on Wheels Service Shire Services
- Team of the Year Award Sponsored by Essential Cuisine – Britten Court, Care UK
A Menu for Champions
As a first for these awards, the winners of each of the public sector Chef of the Year competitions were invited to devise the menu for the night. The NACC was represented by Care Chef of the Year Brian Preston, who heads up the catering team at Lister House, Royal British Legion, a care home for the armed forces in Ripon, North Yorkshire. Together they worked with the London Metropole Brigade to deliver the three-course dinner for over 600 guests.
Talking after the event, Brian said “This was a marvellous opportunity. They were vast kitchens but it was great fun working with the other chefs. Something very different from my day job!”
Public Sector Catering editor David Foad said afterwards: “It was a terrific awards night, a genuine celebration of the best in an industry that does such a fantastic job behind the scenes. My congratulations go to all the winners, with thanks to everyone who was nominated for making our judges work so hard over difficult decisions this year.”
The NACC National Chair, Neel Radia attended the event and said: “I was so pleased to see the care catering sector so well represented in several of the available categories. I congratulate Andrew and Care UK, although in my eyes, everyone who made the shortlists were winners.”
On the night a charity raffle was held to raise money for hospitality charity Springboard to help it in its work to encourage young talent into the sector and re-train older applicants.
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