Progressive, outward looking and dedicated to quality at every turn; just some of the ways in which you can characterise the modern face of one of our industry’s most vast dining fraternities, the cost sector.

Spanning the UK military, the prison services, healthcare, contract catering, education and events, this is definitely the less glamourous side of cooking, but by no means less vital to the health of the industry and those who rely on it daily.

If the cost sector is the behemoth of the food industry, then its annual celebration, The Cost Sector Catering Awards, is its annual keystone calendar event, patronised by the passionate people at its heart and impeccably organised by publisher Andrew Archer’s Dewberry Redpoint team.

Last week (25th April) during a glittering ceremony at the Hilton London Metropole, the latest recipients of the 2019 awards were revealed, and, as the leading out of home agency, Jellybean was on hand to take it all in.

The evening was expertly compered by writer, broadcaster and comedian Danny Wallace who commanded the room with aplomb, at one point stopping to joke about the amount of commendations bestowed upon Hobart stalwart Roger Kellow; “…he’s won so many awards, I’ve put £40 on him for the London Marathon!”

Then, following a sumptuous menu of roasted vegetable mosaic mushroom jelly with whipped goats’ cheese, braised lamb neck and a dessert of dark chocolate and raspberry tart, it was time for the awards.

There were Lifetime Achievement gongs for Mark Hayman of the Hospital Caterers Association – honoured for years of work supporting the HCA and its members – and for Bill Toner, chief executive of CH&Co.

The Contract Caterer Award was given to The Genuine Dining Co., while The Education Award went to the University of Stirling. LACA won the Marketing Award for a campaign celebrating the 25th anniversary of National School Meals Week while Gary Hunter and Dr Rupy Aujla of Westminster Kingsway College were awarded the PSC100 Health and Nutrition Award.

All in all, a fantastic celebration of the often-unsung heroes working to keep the sector relevant and at the forefront of UK catering. Our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and thankyou to Dewberry Redpoint for another incredible event.

The winners in full:

Armed Services Award

(Sponsored by Essential Cuisine)

WO Darren Rose, RAF

Care Catering Award

(Sponsored by Anglia Crown)

Nick Dutton, Primrose Bank Care Home

Chef Award

(Sponsored by Welbilt UK)

Carl Weston, Cuffley Manor Care Home

Contract Catering Award

(Sponsored by Unilever Food Solutions)

The Genuine Dining Co.

Contract Catering Multi-Site Manager Award

(Sponsored by Bidfood)

Bee Armstrong, The Genuine Dining Co.

Corporate Responsibility Award

(Sponsored by Nestlé Professional)

Manchester Fayre Team

Education Award

(Sponsored by Premier Foods)

Catering Team, University of Stirling

Event/Stadia/Arena Award

(Sponsored by Around Noon)

Tom Parry, Cheltenham Race Course

Healthcare Award

(Sponsored by Diversey/Zenith)

Lee Stillwell, Elizabeth Finn Homes Ltd

Innovation Award

(Sponsored by Young’s Foodservice)

Harrogate Food Angels

Marketing Award

(Sponsored by Pasta King)

LACA Ltd

PSC100 Health and Nutrition Award

Gary Hunter and Dr Rupy Aujla, Westminster Kingsway College

Public Sector Award

(Sponsored by Middleton Foods)

Mark Taylor, Premier Foods

Special Contribution Award

(Sponsored by Williams Falcon)

Jo Ralling & Dan Parker, Veg Power

Team of the Year

(Sponsored by Lakeland Dairies)

Vic Borrill and the Team, Brighton & Hove Food Partnership

Training and Apprenticeship Award

(Sponsored by Brakes)

Elior UK

Unit Manager Award

Sponsored by Bewley’s Tea and Coffee)

Helen Howe, Derbyshire County Council

University/College Award

(Sponsored by TUCO)

Chartwells at the University of Sussex

Lifetime Achievement Awards

(Sponsored by Hobart UK)

Contract Caterer – Bill Toner, CH&Co

Public Sector – Mark Hayman, HCA